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THE 



MORAL PROBE, 



ONE HUNDRED AND TWO ESSAYS 



THE NATURE OF MEN AND THINGS. 



L. CARROLL JUDSON, 

f< 

AUTHOR OF A BIOGRAPHY OF THE SIGNERS OF THE 
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 



" The proper study of Mankind is Man." — Pora. 

The wounds that Fashion, Vice, and Folly, 
Have deeply inflicted on our fallen race, 
Much need the Probe.— Author. 



tDitl) an ^Ippeniri*, 



CONTAINING 



THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, THE CONSTITUTION OF THE 

UNITED STATES, WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL ADDRESS, AND 

A MINIATURE BIOGRAPHY OF WASHINGTON, 

THE SIGNERS, AND PATRICK HENRY. 



FOURTH EDITION. 



NEW YORK: 
PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. 

1848. 



&f* nl 



ft 



i 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1846, 

By L. Carroll Judson, 

In tho Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, of the 

Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 



OfFT 

'"TRAM SMITH 



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HoBIRT CftAIOHEAD, PRINTER 
I 19 rWtOH STREET 



PREFACE 



During the last fifteen years, I had spent much 
time in writing a series of essays, similar to the follow- 
ing, which, with most of my other effects, were con- 
sumed by the calamitous fire at Pittsburgh, on the 
tenth day of April last. 

Convinced of the utility of a volume of short, pun- 
gent, and practical articles ; relating to the multiform 
and every-day concerns of life, I have endeavored to 
repair the loss, by again putting my thoughts on paper, 
and giving to the world the result of my experience 
and observations, for nearly half a century. 

My object has been, to probe the festering wounds 
of human nature, and point the afflicted patient to a 
healing remedy. I have aimed to present simple 
axioms and short propositions, calculated to rouse the 
mental powers of my readers ; and induce them to ex- 
amine ; impartially, faithfully, and minutely ; the vast 
circuit, the reaching powers, the lofty desires, and the 
native dignity of their immortal souls ; and explore the 
labyrinthian mazes of the wilderness of mind ; that 
they may form a correct estimate of themselves, and 
of men and things around them. 

iii 



IV PREFACE. 

I have studied to present strong common sense and 
stubborn facts, in plain unvarnished language. The 
essays are interspersed with scraps of science, history, 
and anecdotes ; and are intended to bring the reflect- 
ing powers of my readers, into pleasing and vigorous 
action. They inculcate sterling integrity, unyielding 
virtue, ardent patriotism, active philanthropy, pure 
benevolence, and universal charity. 

If my arduous efforts to alleviate the miseries of my 
fellow creatures, produced by moral disease, shall be 
crowned with success, it will afford me great consola- 
tion. To raise higher the standard of morals, to pro- 
mote social order, and to advance the general good of 
our country ; should be the ruling object of all. 

The Appendix is deemed an important addition, 
and should be often read by every citizen of the 
United States, and in all our schools. 

• L. CARROLL JUDSON, 

of the Philadelphia Bar, 

Philadelphia, January 1, 1846. 



CONTENTS. 



Advice, variety of, and how to impart Page 

Agriculture, best of all professions 12 

Ambition, not productive of happiness 14 

Anger, should be suppressed and regulated 16 

Apothegms, useful maxims 17 

Avarice, miseries of 19 

Bible, its superiority over all books 21 

Benevolence, pure and false 22 

Brevity, be short 24 

Calumny, baseness of 26 

Charity, benign influence of 27 

Children, treatment of , 29 

Condescension, necessity of 36 

Consistency, advantages of 38 

Contentment, felicity of 41 

Currents, upper and under 42 

Death, our best friend 47 

Debts, credit system injurious 48 

Despair, causes of 52 

Discretion, denned 54 

Duelling, a cowardly practice 56 

Education, the kind most useful 58 

Eloquence, artificial and natural — difference between 60 

Eminence, does not add to happiness 62 

a2 v 



VI CONTENTS. 

Envy, its miseries and antidote Pa°e 64 

Examination*, importance of self 65 

Experience, its lessons unheeded 68 

Fame and Glory, distinction between 70 

Fanaticism, mischiefs of 72 

Fashion, a cruel tyrant 74 

Fires, brief history of — one at Pittsburgh 77 

Flattery, meanness of 86 

Friendship, cautions relative to 87 

Gambling, evils of 89 

Genius, essence of power 92 

Government, its proper foundation 95 

Gratitude, defined — its influence on the heart 96 

Happiness, what is true 98 

Heart, description of natural and moral 99 

Honesty, the true standard of , 103 

Honor, each caste has its code 105 

Hope, its operations on the mind 108 

Idleness, leads to crime 109 

Inconsistency, evils of 1 1 1 

Ingratitude, baseness of 1 19 

Inequalities of life, Agrarianism examined 121 

Jealousy, produces misery 124 

Judgment, to be cautiously exercised 125 

Knowledge, of common things most necessary 128 

Kings, number of modern, in Europe 129 

Labor, benefits of 133 

Law, keep out of it— its changes 136 

Love, defined 138 

Luxury, armament of 140 



CONTENTS. Vll 

Man, nature of Page 142 

Matrimony, promotes social order ^ 145 

Misfortunes, self created 150 

Money, how to use and prize it 152 

Nature, harmony of 155 

Novels, not useful in the aggregate 156 

Occupation, all should have one 15& 

Offices, office seeking, a game 160 

Opinions, like watches 161 

Party Spirit, dangers of 163 

Pauperism, causes and remedy 167 

Perspective, a glance at human nature 169 

Pillow, place for reflection 171 

Presence of Mind, advantages of 172 

Press, responsibility of editors 175 

Procrastination, evils of 179 

Promises, evils of breaking.. 181 

Prudence, defined 183 

Quacks, several kinds 187 

Quarrels, how to avoid them 189 

Readers, of three kinds 191 

Retaliation, evils of 193 

Reproof, how to administer it. . . 195 

Revenge, miseries of 197 

Revolution, a scrap of American history 199 

Saying too much, evil consequences of 217 

Scandal, mischiefs of 220 

Scorn, offal of pride 223 

Selfishness, miseries of , 224 

Spectacles, with false lens 227 



Vlll CONTENTS. 

Sunday, advantages of Page 230 

Suspicion, evils of 232 

Tongue, put on the bridle 233 

Trifles, importance of 237 

Tyranny, the greatest of 240 

Union, is strength 24 1 

Usefulness, all may be useful 243 

Valve, never open the wrong one 246 

Vanity, the froth of pride . 250 

Variety, the spice of life 252 

Wit, more ornamental than useful 254 

Woman, nature and treatment of 255 

Xantippe, on scolding 260 

Xeniades, patriotism 262 

Yaw, an essay for seamen 264 

Youth, how to instruct them — Appeal to 266 

Zeal, without and with knowledge 269 

Zeno, silence a virtue 270 

APPENDIX. 

Declaration of Independence 1 

Constitution of the United States 7 

Washington's Farewell Address 25 

Miniature Biography of the Signers 42 

Washington, and Patrick Henry. 



THE PROBE 



ADVICE. 

Advice, to prove beneficial, depends upon these 
grand requisites; honest persons, with capacity and 
discretion to give that which is salutary ; and honest 
hearts, willing to receive and be guided by it. It is as 
abundant as spring flowers in May, but not always as 
odoriferous. 

From Lawyers, it may be purchased in quantity, 
according to the purse ; and in quality, from first, to 
fourth common, as lumbermen sell boards; the latter 
being the most plentiful, but usually the most ex- 
pensive in the end. Lawyers can, and should be the 
promoters of social order ; peace-makers in commu- 
nity, keeping people out, instead of leading them into 
the labyrinth of law. If no lawyers were patronized, 
but those who are emphatically peace-makers ; who 
can clearly discern the right and wrong between liti- 
gants, and kindly enforce the one and correct the other, 
by patient and sound reasoning ; a ray of millennial 
glory would burst upon us ; millions of money would 
pass through a better channel, and thousands of friend- 
ships be saved from dissolution. 

In the Healing Art, our country is flooded with ad- 
2 9 



10 THE PROBE. 

visers, from those of science, judgment, and skill; to 
swarms of quack opathics,who know as much of Physiol- 
ogy, Pathology, Materia Medica, Pharmaceutics, Anat- 
omy, and Physics ; as a pet cat does about the battle of 
Waterloo. We have many of this tribe of advisers, whose 
self-assurance, backed by some patent nostrums, gives 
them a passport among the credulous, and sometimes 
enables them to leave in the distance, a man of science, 
merit, and worth ; but too modest and unassuming for 
the times. Blustering impudence and foaming brag- 
gadocia, have performed astonishing feats in our coun- 
try, within the last few years. 

Specifics, in numbers that would amaze iEsculapius^ 
are proclaimed to the wide world by trumpet-tongued 
newspapers, each of which is a certain cure for all the 
diseases flesh is heir to, and promises to restore the Me- 
thuselah age to the human race. The patient can be 
accommodated with medicine, from the microscopic 
dose, to the pound or gallon. He may be par-boiled in 
the steam bath, or chilled with ice water ; he may be 
drenched with syrup, scoured with pills, covered with 
plasters, have his blood let out, or his system charged 
with lightning. If all these should fail, he may throw 
himself into the arms of Mesmerism, triumph over all 
diseases, and attempt to deceive death, as the man in the 
fable did the bear, by pretending to be dead, as the only 
means of saving his life. If, in the multitude of counsel 
there is safety, the sick should be preeminently safe. 

In Politics, we have numerous advisers, most of 
them patriots in proportion to their interests, who coun- 
sel us to go with their party, right or wrong. In this 
mutter, our own judgments should be well informed, 
and guide us. 



ADVICE. 11 

In Literature, there is no deficiency in the num- 
ber, variety, or quality of advisers. From the shallow- 
brained, self-conceited pedant, up to the able, honest, 
and erudite professor in our colleges, we may obtain 
advice, to direct our ideas how to shoot. 

Bookology has also taken a high stand, and is un- 
furling its broad pendant before the genial breeze of 
science. These silent monitors may be consulted, 
from Tom Thumb, up to the voluminous Encyclopedia, 
and from that, up to the book of all books — the Bible. 

In the every day concerns of life, there are always 
numerous volunteers, ever ready to give their advice, 
but not all, either honest or competent. 

In matters of Religion, a subject of more importance 
than all other things combined, the advisers are legion, 
and as various and distinct in some non-essential par- 
ticulars, as the lines of latitude and longitude. Secta- 
rian walls tower to the clouds, and these clouds often 
bewilder the inquirer after truth. All Bible churches 
draw their creeds from the same pure fountain- — all 
serve the same master — all aim for Heaven. In this 
state of things, what is to be done ? My advice is, go to 
the Bible ; there pure religion is described in few words 
— throw the excresences of sectarianism to the winds, 
and extend charity to all Bible Christian churches. In 
what is necessary for the salvation of the soul, they are 
all right. Different sects of Christians, are like the 
children of one father ; each has a different Christian 
name, but all belong to the same family — so all Chris- 
tian churches belong to the household of faith, and 
should soar above family quarrels. 

In giving advice, time, place, and manner, are of 
the first importance. Meekness, love, prudence, and 



12 THE PROBE. 

discretion ; with other talents below mediocrity, will 
effect more in correcting error, reforming the vicious, 
and advancing pure and undefiled religion; than the 
talents of an angel could accomplish without them. To 
know what, how, and when to advise ; is a matter too 
little understood, and less practised. If we wish the 
seed sown to take root, we must mellow 7 the soil by 
proper cultivation. So in giving advice, we must first 
gain the confidence of those we deem it a duty to ad- 
vise, and then look to God for success. 



AGRICULTURE 



What I have said on this subject in a former publi- 
cation, I here repeat. Of all occupations, that of 
agriculture is best calculated to induce love of country, 
and rivet it firmly on the heart. No profession is more 
honourable, none as conducive to health, peace, tran- 
quillity, and happiness. More independent than any 
other calling, it is calculated to produce an innate love 
of liberty. The farmer stands upon a lofty eminence, 
and looks upon the bustle of cities, the intricacies of 
mechanism, the din of commerce, and brain confusing, 
body killing literature; with feelings of personal free- 
dom, peculiarly his own. He delights in the pros- 
perity of the city as his market place, acknowledges 
the usefulness of the mechanic, admires the enterprize 
of the commercial man, and rejoices in the benefits 
that flow from the untiring investigations and develop- 
ments of science; then turns his thoughts to the pris- 
tine quiet of his agrarian domain, and covets not the 
fame that accumulates around the other professions. 



AGRICULTURE. 13 

He has much time for intellectual improvement and 
reflection. Constantly surrounded by the varied and 
varying beauties of nature, and the never ceasing and 
harmonious operations of her laws, his mind is led to 
contemplate the wisdom of the great Architect of 
worlds, and the natural philosophy of the universe. 
Aloof from the commoving arena of public life, and yet, 
through the medium of that magic engine, the press, 
made acquainted with the scenes that are passing 
there, he is able to form a dispassionate and deliberate 
conclusion upon the various topics that concern the 
good and glory of his country. In his retired domicil, 
he is less exposed to the baneful influence of that cor 
rupt and corrupting party spirit, which is raised by the 
whirlwind of selfish ambition, and rides on the tornado 
of faction. Before he is roused to a participation in 
violent public action, he bears much, reflects deeply, 
and resolves nobly. But when the oppression of rulers 
becomes so intolerable, as to induce the farmers of a 
country to leave their ploughs and peaceful firesides, 
and draw the avenging sword — let them beware — the 
day of retribution is at hand. 

Above all other occupations, that of agriculture ena- 
bles those who pursue it, to live in a fuller, freer, 
purer enjoyment of religion. It is less exposed to 
temptations, calculated to lead frail men from the 
paths of virtue. If multitudes, who are hard run to get 
bread, would leave our pent up cities, and occupy and 
improve the millions of fine land in our country, yet 
unlocated, it would greatly enhance individual happi- 
ness and public good. Try it, ye starved ones — if you 
are disappointed, then I am no prophet, or the son of 
a prophet. 

B 



14 THE PROBE. 



AMBITION. 



Ambition is at distance 
A goodly prospect, tempting to the view : 
The height delights us, and the mountain top 
Looks beautiful, because 'tis nigh to heaven : 
But we never think how sandy's the foundation, 
What storms will batter, and what tempests shake us. — Otway. 

Some conceited wights, who study party politics 
more than philosophy or ethics, call all the laudable 
desires of the human heart, ambition, aiming to strip 
the monster of its deformity, that they may use it, as 
the livery of heaven to serve the devil in. The former 
are based on philanthropy, the latter, on selfishness. 
Lexicographers define ambition to be, an earnest desire 
of power, honour, preferment, pride. The honour that 
is awarded to power, is of doubtful gender, and the 
power that is acquired by ambition, is held by a slender 
tenure, a mere rope of sand. Its hero often receives 
the applause of the multitude one day, and its execra- 
tions the next. The summit of vain ambition is often 
the depth of misery. Based on a sandy foundation, 
it falls before the blasts of envy, and the tornado of 
faction. It is inflated by a gaseous thirst for power, 
like a balloon with hydrogen, and is in constant danger 
of being exploded, by the very element that causes its 
elevation. It eschews charity, and deals largely in the 
corrosive sublimate of falsehood, the aquafortis of envy, 
the elixir vitriol of revenge, and the asafcetida of du- 
plicity. Like the kite, it cannot rise in a calm, and 
requires a constant wind to preserve its upward course. 
The fulcrum of ignorance, and the lever of party spirit, 



AMBITION, 15 

form its magic power. An astute writer has well ob- 
served, that " ambition makes the same mistake con- 
cerning power, that avarice makes relative to wealth." 
The ambitious man begins, by accumulating it as the 
desideratum of happiness, and ends his career in the 
midst of exertions to obtain more. So ended the 
onward and upward career of Napoleon — his life, a 
modern wonder — his fate, a fearful warning — his death, 
a scene of gloom. Power is gained as a means of en- 
joyment, but oftener than otherwise, is its fell destroyer. 
Like the viper in the fable, it is prone to sting those 
who warm it into life. History fully demonstrates these 
propositions. Hyder Ali was in the habit of starting 
frightfully in his sleep. His confidential friend and 
attendant asked the reason. He replied, " My friend, 
the state of a beggar is more delightful than my envied 
monarchy^awake, he sees no conspirators — asleep, he 
dreams of no assassins." Ambition, like the gold of 
the miser, is the sepulchre of all the other passions of 
the man. It is the grand centre around which they 
move, with centripetal force. Its history is one of 
carnage and blood — it is the bane of substantial good — 
it endangers body and soul, for time and eternity. 
Reader, if you desire peace of mind, shun ambition 
and the ambitious man. He will use you as some men 
do their horses, ride you all day without food, and give 
you post meat for supper. He will gladly make a 
bridge of you, on which to walk into power, provided 
he can pass toll free. Let your aim be more lofty than 
the highest pinnacle ambition can rear. Nothing is 
pure but heaven, let that be the prize you seek, 

" And taste and prove in that transporting sight, 
Joy without sorrow, without darkness — light." 



16 THE PROBE. 



ANGER. 



It doth appal me 
To see your anger, like our Adrian waves, 
O'er sweep all bounds, and foam itself to air.— Byron. 
Those hearts that start at once into a blaze, 
And open all their rage, like summer storms, 
At once discharg'd, grow cool again, and calm. — Johnson. 

Byron seems to have viewed anger with contempt — 
Johnson, with compassion. The latter is right, and 
the former not far wrong. It is folly not to control 
our anger and keep it in subjection — long indulgence 
gives it a mastery over us — it then becomes a con- 
firmed disease, and calls for our pity. It is one of the 
misfortunes of our fallen nature, and can best be dis- 
armed by kindness. The bee seldom stings the hand 
that is covered with honey — the cross dog can be ap- 
peased with a piece of meat, the angry man is soonest 
cooled by gentleness. Anger is a species of momen- 
tary insanity — all humane persons treat the unfortunate 
subjects of this disease, tenderly, as the best means of 
restoring them to their right mind. 

When anger comes in contact with anger, it is like 
the meeting of two fires — the conflagration and damage 
are increased. As water extinguishes the one, so will 
gentleness the other. A soft answer turneth away wrath. 
Be angry and sin not. By these remarks, I do not be- 
come the apologist of those who indulge this inflamma- 
ble, explosive propensity — the treatment of the disease 
is my object. The patient who has long been afflicted, 
may do much towards effecting his own cure — at first, 
the malady was under his control. An ounce of pre- 



APOTHEGMS. 17 

vention then, was worth more than a pound of cure, 
after the habit is fixed. The disadvantages arising 
from anger, under all circumstances, should prove a 
panacea for the complaint. In moments of cool reflec- 
tion, the man who indulges it, views, with deep regret, 
the desolations produced by a summer storm of pas- 
sion. Friendship, domestic happiness, self-respect, the 
esteem of others, and sometimes property; are swept 
away by a whirlwind — perhaps a tornado of anger. I 
have more than once seen the furniture of a house in 
a mass of ruin, the work of an angry moment. I have 
seen anger make wives unhappy, alienate husbands, 
spoil children, derange all harmony, and disturb the 
quiet of a whole neighbourhood. Anger, like too 
much wine, hides us from ourselves, but exposes us to 
others. If the man who has, for years, been a con- 
firmed drunkard, can form, and religiously keep, a res- 
olution to refrain from the fatal poison, the man who 
has often been intoxicated with anger, should go and 
do likewise. He can but try — the effort may be crowned 
with triumphant success. 



APOTHEGMS. 

SELECT AND ORIGINAL. 



A sage and poor shepherd looked for truth. The 
former sought her among the stars, the latter found 
her at his feet. 

Life, to youth, is a fairytale just opened; to old 
age, a tale read through, ending in death. Be wise 
in time, that you may be happy in eternity. 
3 b2 



18 THE PROBE. 

Happiness, like a snail, is never found from home, 
nor without a home. 

The rose is sweetest when it first opens ; the spike- 
nard root, when the herb dies. Beauty belongs to 
youth, and dies with it, but the odour of piety survives 
death, and perfumes the tomb. 

Never be cast down by trifles. If a spider breaks 
his thread twenty times in a day, he patiently mends 
it each time. Make up your mind to do a good thing, 
it will be done. Fear not troubles, keep up your 
spirits, the darkness will pass away. If the sun is 
going down, look at the stars ; if they are hid by 
clouds, still look up to heaven, rely upon the promises 
of God, and be cheerful. Never yield to misfortunes. 
Mind what you run after ; avoid bubbles that will burst, 
and fire-works that end in smoke ; get that which is 
worth keeping, and can be kept. 

Fight against a hasty temper ; a spark may set a 
house on fire ; a fit of passion may cause you to mourn 
•long and bitterly. Govern your passions, or they will 
govern you. Conquer your enemies by kindness, pre- 
serve your friends by prudence, deserve the esteem of 
all by goodness. 

The road ambition travels, is too narrow for friend- 
ship, too crooked for love, too rugged for honesty, too 
dark for science, and too hilly for happiness. 

Evil thoughts are dangerous enemies, and should be 
repulsed at the threshold of our minds. Fill the head 
and heart with good thoughts, that there be no room 
for bad ones. 

Drinking water, neither makes a man sick nor in 
debt, or his wife a widow. Prosperity gains a thou- 
sand intimates, adversity often shows us that not one 



AVARICE. 19 

of them is a real friend. Sunshine friends are the 
green flies of society. 

Instruction by precept is tedious, by example, more 
effectual and short. 

Life consists not in mere existence, but in spending 
our time in doing good here, that we may be forever 
happy hereafter. 

Take special care what, and to whom you speak of 
any individual. 

Fools and obstinate people make lawyers rich ; the 
wise keep out of the law labyrinth. 

Help yourself and heaven will help you ; every man 
is the architect of his own fortune. 



AVARICE. 



cursed lust of gold, when for thy sake, 

The fool throws up his interest in both worlds, 

First starved in this — then damn'd in that to come. — Blair. 

A judicious writer has well remarked, that avarice 
is the father of more children than Priam, and, like 
him, survives them all. It is a paradoxical propen- 
sity — a species of heterogeneous insanity. The miser 
starves himself, knowing that those who wish him 
dead, will fatten on his hoarded gains. He submits to 
more torture to lose heaven, than the martyr does to 
gain it. He serves the worst of tyrannical masters, 
more faithfully than most Christians do the best, whose 
yoke is easy and burden light. He worships this world, 
but repudiates all its pleasures. He endures all the 
miseries of poverty through life, that he may die in 
the midst of wealth. He is the mere turnkey of his 



20 THE PROBE. 

own riches — a poor fed and bad clothed slave, refusing 
proffered, unconditional freedom. He is the cocoon 
of the human race — death ends his toils, and others 
reel off the glossy product of his labors. He is the 
father of more miseries than the prodigal — whilst he 
lives, he heaps them on himself and those around him. 
He is his own and the poor man's enemy, — money is 
the tomb of all his passions and desires, — his mind is 
never expanded beyond the circumference of the al- 
mighty dollar. He thinks not of his immortal soul, 
his accountability to God, or of his final destiny. He 
covets the wealth of others, revels in extortion, stops 
at nothing to gratify his ruling passion, that will' not 
endanger his dear idol. He is an Ishmael in com- 
munity, — he passes to the grave without tasting the 
sweets of friendship, the delights of social intercourse, 
or the comforts of a good repast, unless the latter is 
got by invitation, when abroad. The first voluntary 
expenditure upon his body, during his manhood, and 
the first welcome visit of his neighbours, both passive 
on his part, are at his funeral. 

If we would enjoy the comforts of life rationally, we 
must avoid the miseries of avarice, and the evils of 
prodigality. Let us use the provisions of our benevo- 
lent Benefactor without abusing them, and render to 
Him that gratitude which is His due. Banish all in- 
ordinate desires after wealth — if you gain an abund- 
ance, be discreetly liberal — judiciously benevolent, 
and, if your children have arrived at their majority, 
die your own executor. 



BIBLE. 21 



THE BIBLE. 

Be thou my star in reason's night, 

Be thou my rock in danger's fright, 

Be thou my guide mid passion's way, 

My moon by night — my sun by day. — Milman . 

The highest eulogy we can pronounce upon this 
book of all books, is, to take it for the man of our 
counsel, and the polar star of our lives — not merely to 
admit and laud its superior excellency, and let it re- 
main on the shelf, until anathema maranatha, can 
be written in the dust upon its lids, and criminally 
neglecting to aid in giving it to the millions, who are 
groping in papafc and heathen darkness. Divine in its 
origin, written by the pen of inspiration, dipped in the 
burning indignation of God against the wicked, on the 
one hand; and in the melting fountain of his love, for 
the good, on the other; the sublimity of its language 
caps the climax of Rhetoric. As a History of that 
grand epoch, when God said, "Let there be light; 
and there was light," it stands alone, clothed in the 
majesty of Divinity. As a Chronicle of the creation 
of man, after the moral image of Deity, of his ruinous 
fall, and of his subsequent mad career, it must remain 
unrivalled. As a Chart of human nature, and of 
human rights and wrongs, and of the character of the 
great Jehovah, its delineations, in precision, fulness, 
and force of description ; far exceed the boldest strokes 
and finest touches, of the master spirits of every age 
and clime. As a system of Morals and Religion, every 
effort of man, to add to its transcendent beauty, or 
omnipotent strength, is presumption, and as vain, as 



22 THE PROBE. 

an attempt to bind the wind, or imprison the ocean. 
As a book of Poetry and Eloquence, it stands, in lofty 
grandeur, towering above the noblest productions of 
the most brilliant talents, that have illuminated and 
enraptured the classic world. As a book of Revela- 
tion, it shed a flood of light upon the wilderness of 
mind, that added fresh lustre and refulgence to those 
of Reason, Philosophy and Science, that had guided 
mankind to that auspicious, glorious era, when it burst 
upon the astonished world. As a book of Counsel, its 
wisdom is profound, boundless, infinite. It meets every 
case in time, and is the golden chain that reaches from 
Earth to Heaven. It teaches us our native dignity, 
the design of our creation, the duties we owe to our 
God, ourselves, our families, our parents, our children, 
and our fellow men. It teaches us how to live and how 
to die. It points the finally impenitent to their awful 
doom — -it arms the Christian in panoply complete — 
snatches from death its poisoned sting, from the grave 
its boasted victory, and points the soul to its crowning 
glory — a blissful immortality beyond the skies. 



BENEVOLENCE. 

Soft peace it brings wherever it arrives, 
It builds our quiet — "latent hope revives," 
Lays the rough paths of nature " smooth and even " 
And opens in each breast a little heaven. — Prior. 

Pure benevolence is one of those amiable qualities 
of the human breast, that imparts pleasure to its pos- 
sessor, and those who receive the benefits bestowed. 
it is of a modest and retiring nature, and renders it? 



BENEVOLENCE. 23 

gifts more valuable, by the delicacy with which they are 
conveyed. Those who most merit and need the aid 
of the benevolent, are usually possessed of fine feel- 
ing. The subjects of real misfortune, they are easily 
wounded, and dread the approach of those who carry 
a speaking trumpet in one hand, to proclaim the gifts 
they have bestowed with the other, forgetting the in- 
junction of our blessed Redeemer, not to let one hand 
know the alms that are bestowed by the other. 

I know some men who have refused cold bread and 
meat to a hungry man, yes, child and woman too, 
when they came famishing and alone to their doors, 
who never refuse to place their names very conspicu- 
ously upon paper subscriptions, especially if those sub- 
scriptions are to be published in some newspaper or 
printed document. They are like dorsiferous plants, 
that bear their seeds on their leaves, instead of in a 
capsule. Such men have the same claim to benevo- 
lence, as the devil has to preach religion ; the donations 
of the former are as offensive to Heaven, as the ser- 
mons of the latter. They may both do good, but the 
one, being based on selfish pride, and the other on 
duplicity, neither the man nor the devil, are entitled to 
any credit for such unhallowed acts. It is well that 
the recipients and hearers are usually strangers to 
each. I know others, whose benevolence all oozes out 
of their hearts in whining sympathy, and rolls off at 
the end of the tongue. They feel deeply for the mis- 
fortunes of others, and say to them, be ye fed, warmed, 
and clothed, but from their abundance, do not contrib- 
ute one cent, like too many who make pretensions to 
piety, but produce no more fruit than a hemlock tree, 
that has been seared with lightning. 



24 THE PROBE. 

Pure benevolence, like the dew from heaven, falls 
gently on the drooping flower, not at the blaze of 
noon-day, but in the stillness of night. Its refreshing 
and reviving effects are felt, seen, and admired — not 
the hand that distilled it. It flows from a good heart, 
and looks beyond the skies for approval and reward. 
It never opens, but seeks to heal the wounds inflicted 
by misfortune — it never harrows up, but strives to calm 
the troubled mind. Like their Lord and Master, the 
truly benevolent man and woman, go about doing good 
for the sake of goodness. No parade — no trumpet to 
sound their charities — no press to chronicle their acts. 
The gratitude of the donee is a rich recompense to the 
donor — purity of motive heightens and refines the joys 
of each. Angels smile on such benevolence. It is 
the attribute of Deity, the moving cause of every bless- 
ing we enjoy. 



BREVITY. 

Brevity has been called the soul of wit, perhaps, 
because it has a short soul, floating in volatile spirits. 

In his last public speech, which I heard, the cele- 
brated Red Jacket remarked — My speeches have one 
good quality — they are short. 

Dr. Cotton Mather placed over the door of his office, 
BE short. These two words should be placed over 
the speakers' chairs in our legislative halls, the benches 
of judges, the tables of authors, and over the clocks 
of some churches. 

In business, punctuality and despatch make short 
work. Let friendly calls be short. Twice glad, in 



BREVITY. 20 

formal visits, is coming short of the mark. Let your 
communications to those who are busy, be short. Hold 
no man by the button in the street, or in the door — be 
short. Let your anecdotes and stories be short. Let 
your credits, if you have any, be short. Let your 
speeches be short — be sure and stop when done. More 
noise is made in pouring a little water from a bottle, 
than when it is full. Let statute laws be short — then 
the sessions of our legislatures will be short. Let 
pleadings in court, instruments of writing, and opin- 
ions of judges, be short — that our books of reports 
may be short. If you have any bad habits, vicious 
practices, or bad companions, cut them short, or your 
happiness, reputation, and money may fall short. 

Let the prayers, exhortations, and admonitions of 
every Christian, be humble, meek, fervent, sincere, 
earnest, affectionate, and short. 

Let the sermons of ministers be nothing but Jesus 
Christ, and him crucified, and short. They may then 
be profitable ; because pure, simple, and short. 

Let the impenitent sinner turn from his sins at 
once — no delay, life is uncertain and short. This 
night thy soul may be required — a notice dreadful and 
short. 

Let authors be clear, concise, pointed, comprehen- 
sive, independent, and short. Pardon me for feeding 
you, my reader, with shorts. Graham bread is heal- 
thy, and often made of shorts. 
4 

C 



26 THE PROBE. 



C A L U M N Y . 

'"Tis " calumny," 
Whose edge is sharper than the sword ; whose tongue 
Outvenoms all the worms of Nile; whose breath 
Rides on the posting winds, and doth belie 
All corners of the world ! Kings, queens, and States, 
Maids, matrons ; nay, the secrets of the grave 
This viperous slander enters. — Shakespeare. 

This picture of Shakespeare, whose body lias mould- 
ered in the tomb over two hundred years, has lost none 
of its strong features by modern improvements in 
human society. Calumny is the same blighting Siroc- 
co, the same envenomed scorpion, the same damning 
miasma, as it was when his master hand delineated its 
dark and fiendish physiognomy. As then, its pestifer- 
ous breath pollutes with each respiration — its forked 
tongue is charged with the same poison — it searches 
all corners of the world for victims — it sacrifices the 
high and low, the king and the peasant, the rich and 
poor, the matron and maid, the living and the dead ; 
but, cursed propensity, delights most in destroying 
worth, and immolating innocence. Lacon has justly 
remarked, " Calumny crosses oceans, scales mountains, 
and traverses deserts, with greater ease than the 
Scythian Abaris, and, like him, rides upon a poisoned 
arrow.'' As the Samiel wind of the Arabian desert, 
not only produces death, but causes the most rapid 
decomposition of the liody ; so calumny affects fame, 
honour, integrity, worth, and virtue. The base, black- 
hearted, triple-tongued, Janus-faced, cloven-footed ca- 
lumniator, like the loathsome worm, leaves his path 
marked with the filth of malice, and scum of falsehood, 



CALUMNY. 27 

and pollutes the fairest flowers, the choicest fruits, the 
most delicate plants, in the green-house of character. 
Living, he is a travelling pest-house — dying, impeni- 
tent, his soul is too deeply stained for hell, and should 
be driven to that imaginary, elementless blank, beyond 
the confines of all worlds, shrouded in the darkness of 
nonentity, there to roam alone, through the ceaseless 
ages of eternity, without a pain or pleasure to relieve 
the awful monotony of that dreadful vacuum. O, 
reader, never calumniate the name of another — sooner 
plunge a dagger through his or her heart. So deep 
does the calumniator sink in the murky waters of deg 
radation and infamy, that, could an angel apply an 
Archimedean moral lever to him, with Heaven for a 
fulcrum, he could not, in a thousand years, raise him 
to the grade of a convicted felon. 



CHARITY. 



Fair Charity, be thou my guest, 

And be thy constant couch, my breast. — Cotton. 

This golden chain, that reaches from heaven to 
earth, is much more admired than used — more preach- 
ed about than practised. It has been remarked by 
some writer, " Did universal charity prevail, earth 
would be a Heaven, and Hell a fable," It is another 
name for disinterested, lofty, unadulterated love — the 
attribute of Deity, that moved Him to provide a city 
of refuge for our fallen, ruined race, when exposed to 
the vengeance and penalty, imposed by the holy law of 
God, violated by our federal head. It is placed at the 
head of all the Christian virtues by St. Paul, the ablest 
divine that ever graced a pulpit or wielded a pen. It 



/ 



28 THE PROBE. 



is the substratum of philanthropy, the brightest star 
in the Christian's diadem. It spurns the scrofula of 
green-eyed jealousy, the canker of tormenting envy, 
the tortures of burning malice, the typhoid of foaming 
revenge. It is an impartial mirror, set in the frame of 
love, resting on equity and justice. It is the founda- 
tion and cap stone of the climax of all the Christian 
graces — without it, our religion is like a body without 
a soul — our friendships, shadows of a shadow — our 
alms, the offsprings of pride, or, what is more detest- 
able, the offerings of hypocrisy — our humanity, a mere 
iceberg on the ocean of time — we are unfit to discharge 
the duties of life, and derange the design of our crea- 
tion. Was this Heaven-born, soul-cheering principle, 
the mainspring of human action, the all pervading mo- 
tive-power, that impelled mankind in their onward 
course to eternity, the polar star to guide them through 
this world of sin and wo — the ills that flesh is heir to, 
would be softened in its melting sun beams, a new and 
blissful era would dawn auspiciously upon our race, 
and Satan would become a bankrupt for want of busi- 
ness. Wars and rumors of wars would cease — envy, 
jealousy, and revenge; would hide their diminished 
heads — falsehood, slander, and persecution would be 
unknown — sectarian walls, in matters of religion, 
would crumble in dust — the household of faith would 
become, what it should be — one united, harmonious 
family in Christ — infidelity, vice, and immorality would 
recede, and happiness, before unknown, would become 
the crowning glory of man. Pure and undefilcd reli- 
gion would then be honored and glorified — primitive 
Christianity would stand forth, divested of the inven- 
tions of men, in all the majesty of its native loveliness 



CHILDREN. 29 

—the victories of the cross would be rapidly achieved 
— and the bright day be ushered in, when Jesus shall 
rule, King of nations, as he now does King of saints. 



TREATMENT OF CHILDREN. 

Infants, of all the animal creation, when ushered 
into this world, are more helpless, and remain so longer 
than the young of any of the brute creation. The 
wisdom of God, in this, as in all his economy, is con- 
spicuous. Nothing binds so firmly the union of hearts, 
as the increasing love of parents to their children, en- 
hanced by the arduous and protracted care, necessary 
to sustain and bring them up. The mother, who is 
worthy of that endearing name, finds a new impetus to 
urge her on to the fulfilment of every duty, imposed 
by her marriage vows. The father, if not trans- 
formed from a man to a brute, feels, more deeply, 
his obligations as a protector, and nobly discharges 
them. A social compact is thus formed, and becomes 
one of the links of the great chain that forms a society, 
which increases to a state, and finally to a nation. The 
great length of time it requires, to prepare children to 
act and do for themselves, enlarges and strengthens 
this link, and operates as the most powerful incentive 
to maintain good government. Hence, not only the 
advantage, but the absolute necessity of the marriage 
institution. Let this become obsolete, the waves of 
destruction would roll over us like a mighty flood. Its 
abuse, by some miscreant wretches, demons in human 
shape, is no argument against it. The. intrinsic value 
of religion is not reduced, because the devil gets into a 
church. It is the keystone of social order — properlv 

c2 



30 THE PROBE. 

entered into and properly used, it is the desideratum of 
human happiness, and nothing refines this happiness so 
much, as a well regulated and skilfully cultivated juve- 
nile nursery. Here, the scion is reared that makes the 
tree — be it crooked or straight. 

As the mental powers of children are developed, and 
often when yet at the breast, certain traits in their dis- 
positions are plainly seen. To be enabled to treat them 
properly, all their propensities must be well understood. 
The father is the king over this little community, but 
generally imposes upon his queen, the duties of juve- 
nile government, which is the first and important duty 
in the nursery. Laws must be enacted — few in num- 
ber at the commencement — simple, plain, reasonable, 
and absolute. Too much governing and legislation, 
injure children, as well as our commonwealth. To 
govern properly, you must always govern yourself. 
Let your own examples enforce the precepts you incul- 
cate. To train up a child in the right way, you must 
walk in the right way yourself. Children are close ob- 
servers. The great secret in juvenile government, in 
the nursery and in the school, is, to gain and retain their 
love. This inspires respect, and these, more than any 
other thing, will induce obedience. Tenderness and 
firmness are the fulcrum and lever with which to ope- 
rate. Anger should be manifested never — displeasure 
and tender regret, whenever the child violates any 
known rule of discipline. Rare and perverse is the 
disposition, that recjuires the rod, Solomon to the con- 
trary, notwithstanding. Obedience, based on fear, and 
not on esteem and respect, makes a slave, and mars 
the native loveliness of the image of a son, daughter, 
or pupil. Harsh scolding language, and frequent hard 



CHILDREN. 31 

blows, create the former — kindness, reason, and a uni- 
form firmness, improve the latter. Children have good 
memories — excessive severity is never forgotten ; it 
may so dry up the fountain of love, that its gushing 
waters will never again flow clear and free. It has 
often rendered desperate, but has rarely softened a 
morose disposition. It has sometimes prostrated the 
energies of a child, but never gives them a healthy 
vigor. Too much pruning endangers a shrub, more 
than the shade of a dense forest. Dr. Cotton Mather 
made it a rule, never to resort to corporeal punishment, 
except for atrocious wrongs, or minor faults, obstinately 
persisted in. And when the rod must be used, by rea- 
soning mildly with the offender, you may generally con- 
vince the child of the atrocity of the offence, the just- 
ness of the punishment, and the tender regard you have 
for his good, and thus preserve his esteem — in no other 
way can it be done. If he is naturally bad, improper 
punishment will make him worse. No unnecessary re- 
straints or unreasonable tasks, should be imposed on 
children. In this way, their mental and physical pow- 
ers may be crippled. Make their obedience passive, 
their hearts cheerful, and their actions free. Never ex- 
cite them by unnecessary crosses and vexation, merely 
to exercise your authority. Blame them cautiously for 
errors, and commend them liberally for good conduct. 
Correct all faults the moment they appear ; weeds grow 
more rapidly than the esculent plant, each hour of neg- 
lect retards the growth of the latter, and increases 
the labor of destroying the former. Beware of par- 
tiality. It is an incubus upon good government, and 
is as quickly perceived, and more keenly felt by chil- 
dren, than by adults. If one child is less amiable, 









32 THE PROBE. 

docile, and gifted, than another in the same family 
neglect will increase these qualities fearfully. A favorite 
child among children, is made unhappy by mistaken 
favoritism — arousing in the others one of the basest 
passions — envy, — which makes the latter worse and 
the former miserable. The merits of the favorite 
may justify the feelings of preference, indulged by the 
parents, but this feeling should be judiciously suppress- 
ed, at least, until the children arrive at their majority ; 
and by some discreet fathers, is first exhibited in their 
wills. 

The education of children should commence in the 
nursery, and the mother should be the teacher. I 
speak not of book learning, which is a mere adjunct. 
Impressions, deep and lasting, are imprinted on the 
mind of the young child, before it learns a letter. The 
mfant, long before it can articulate a word, is impressed 
with things that please the eye and the taste, and by 
indulgence, may contract a habit, lasting as life. An 
infant may be fed on food, poisoned with alcoholic 
liquors, and imbibe an artificial taste, that may doom 
the man to a drunkard's grave, perhaps to a drunkard's 
hell. Imitation is early developed ; the first oral les- 
sons that are understood, are seldom eradicated — and 
nave a great influence on the formation of character. 
The first lines of a hymn, the first simple prayers, 
lisped by the child, as it learns them from the lips of a 
pious mother, arc remembered through life, and have 
often led to early piety, and laid the foundation of 
greatness, based on goodness. Early scenes of terror, 
shame, joy, and violent indignation, are seldom eradi- 
cated from the mind. Frightful bugbear stories of 
ghosts, hobgoblins, and witches, are never forgotten, 



CHILDREN. 33 

and are criminally pernicious, creating artificial fear, 
that remains unconquered by riper years. 

How important, then, that first impressions, the 
preliminaries to a school education, should be as pure 
as the unsullied sheet on which they are imprinted, 
and that no foul blots deface its fair surface. How 
important that the mother and the nurse should be 
discreet, affectionate, kind, firm, intelligent, and pious. 
If all were so, we should have more Washingtons, 
who would bless their mothers and honour our country. 
Mothers, your responsibility to your children, and your 
country, is vast beyond conception. Your precepts 
and your examples, will tell through future time, for 
weal or for wo. 

The great secret in teaching children, is, to gain so 
large a share of their love and confidence, as to direct 
their inclinations into the proper channel. Enlist their 
attention, convince them of the benefits in prospect, 
the rewards of application, and the degrading conse- 
quences of neglect. Treat them with kind and marked 
attention, uniform politeness and courtesy, but not with 
childish familiarity. Make them feel their importance 
as human beings, without inflaming their pride. Teach 
them the duties they owe to their parents, their teach- 
ers, their fellows, their country, and their God. Treat 
their inquisitiveness with patience and encouragement, 
and manifest a pleasure in their disposition to learn 
the reason of things. It is the germ of intellect, and if 
properly fostered, will ripen into the fruit of knowledge. 
A contrary course has blasted many a promising bud, 
like a killing frost, the tender vine. Curiosity in chil- 
dren, is the grand lever of nature, to raise them from 
the quany of ignorance, and needs the fulcrum of a 
5 



34 THE PROBE. 

patient teacher, to render it efficient. It is the main- 
spring of improvement, and if suffered to rust from 
neglect, impairs the motion of the machinery of the 
mind. Indifference or rebuke, destroys its elasticity — 
to answer all inquiries, is to lead the child up the hill 
of science, and prepare him for future usefulness. 

Impress, deeply, upon the minds of your children, 
the importance of always speaking unvarnished, unpre- 
varicatcd truth. Among the old pagan Persians, not 
a liar could be found. — In our Christian land, liars are 
more annoying, and as common as musquetocs in Au- 
gust, and may be found even in our churches. How 
great the contrast in morals! Some wicked parents 
teach this vice to their children purposely, as an ad- 
junct of pilfering. — Some good fathers and mothers 
teach it through inadvertency. It is sometimes induced 
by too severe punishment for faults committed, causing 
the child to resort to falsehood, to avoid a castigation. 
Other parents teach it by practising deception on their 
children, which cannot long be concealed. In other 
instances, parents make promises to their children, 
only to break them, and thus inculcate this ill habit. 
Some parents wink and laugh at fibs in their little 
ones, as a mark of cunning and sagacity, instead of 
crushing the propensity in embryo. This is leading 
them into temptation, and not delivering them from 
evil. Some parents and teachers injure their children 
and pupils, by blunting their sense of shame, a power- 
ful principle of human nature, that requires the most 
delicate and skilful hand to manage it to advantage. 
It is the hair-spring of the machine, and is operated 
upon by the least movement of the regulator, which, 
if turned too far, lets it out, and deranges the motion 



CHILDREN. 35 

of every wheel. Shame should be brought into action, 
only to correct the grosser errors. You may as well 
take the hair-spring from a watch, as to paralyze 
shame in a child, by over working it. The more deli- 
cate it is, the more readily will a rough hand destroy it 

To balance, properly, hope and fear, in children 
is a matter of high importance, and of rare attain 
ment. Hope, without fear, engenders rashness — fear, 
without hope, destroys mental and physical energy. 
The former is the motive-power, the latter, the safety- 
valve of human society and civil government. A 
family is a government in miniature. — What is proper 
for one, is proper for both, notwithstanding the greater 
often indulges in wrongs, for which it would punish the 
lesser. 

Parents and teachers, before they are prepared to 
balance these two great principles in children, must 
effect an equilibrium in themselves, and pursue a con- 
sistent, uniform course, in precept and example. Ex- 
cessive indulgence one day, and chilling severity the 
next, will soon cause a vibration in the best balanced 
mind of a child. Thus, a teacher, at school, may 
destroy the good work of a correct parent; and the 
bad management of a parent, may counteract the 
unwearied exertions of a judicious teacher. This sub- 
ject requires more attention than it receives. 

To produce an equilibrium of hope and fear in the 
minds of children, they must be taught the cause and 
the certainty of rewards and punishments. They must 
be made to fear to do wrong because it is a violation 
of right, as well as an exposure to punishment- — and 
to hope for a reward when they act correctly, because 
the natural result of good actions; and that a good 



36 THE PROBE. 

character is their highest reward in life. They should 
be taught to shun evil because it is sin, and to do right 
for the sake of righteousness. Such hope is not sel- 
fish — such fear is not slavish. Let them have a reason- 
able share of rational, innocent, and healthful recrea- 
tion, and a fixed time for receiving instruction, either 
from oral lessons or* books. Impress on their minds, 
the importance and advantage of system in every thing. 
Let them learn and practise the motto — a time and a 
place for every thing, and every thing in its time and 
place. Finally, teach them the enormity of every vice, 
and the blessings of every virtue, that they may early 
learn to shun the former and practise the latter. Above 
all, teach them pure and undefiled religion. The sub- 
ject may appear trifling — it is so treated generally, 
and, because so treated, and because children are not 
properly trained, our county prisons and penitentiaries 
are crowded with felons, and our country with thou- 
sands more who ought to be there. Train up your 
children in the way they should go, and you will rob 
the penitentiary and the gallows of many a subject, 
and save souls from perdition. 



CONDESCENSION 



This is an amiable, and, discreetly used, an advan- 
tageous quality. I have somewhere read of two goats 
that met midway, on a narrow pass, over a deep gulf. 
Neither could turn round to go back, without danger 
of falling off, and one very courteously laid down, and 
permitted the other to walk, not harshly, but gently 
over him, and both passed on in safety. This is not 
the first wise lesson I have learned from brute ani- 



CONDESCENSION. 37 

mals, who act much more consistently than some men, 
who claim reason for a guide, but seldom follow its 
directions. 

In passing over the highway of life, it is often neces- 
sary to condescend to accommodate our fellow trav- 
ellers, and put ourselves to mutual or individual in- 
convenience, to get along smoothly. By condescension, 
I mean not that any one shall yield a single thing that 
is not clearly right, or submit to any thing clearly 
wrong — but if we meet another in straitened circum- 
stances, when he can neither go back or forward, with- 
out using us, gently, let him do it — do not be too par- 
ticular which shall be walked over. The great social 
law of humanity requires, that we should grant all 
accommodations to our fellow travellers, that cannot 
essentially injure us, or that will not compromise the 
fixed principles of truth, justice, and righteousness. 

If a more yielding disposition was exercised in things 
that tend to better and ameliorate the condition of 
man, and a more obstinate resistance made to injus- 
tice, vice, and immorality; peace and happiness would 
be promoted, and social order advanced. 

In the domestic circle, obstinacy, and a want of 
mutual confidence, do much mischief. Instead of ad- 
vising with each other, and profiting by mutual coun- 
sel, husbands and wives too often seek the advice of 
others, who have no interest, and perhaps less capacity, 
in giving safe counsel. Many a husband would have 
been saved from shipwreck, had he made a confidant 
of his wife in all his business, and taken her advice. 
No one can feel as deep an interest in his prosperity 
and happiness as she should, and does, if worthy to be 
a wife. Children should yield implicit obedience to 

D 



THE TROCE. 

parents, and even manhood should not place them 
above their counsel. The best lessons on this subject 
arc contained in the Bible — the best experience, in the 
enjoyment of religion. 



CONSISTENCY. 



Consistency is a jewel of more value to the human 
family, than all the precious stones and gold of the 
earth. It is the prime minister of mind, giving health- 
ful vigor to reason, prudence, discretion, and common 
sense. Be consistent, was long a motto of the old Ro- 
mans — when this became obsolete in practice, they 
ceased to be. 

It was the motto of our revolutionary sires, and is 
still the watch word of every old school patriot among 
us — the Simon Pure republicans of our land — the salt 
of our free institutions. True, we have much of the 
paper currency of inconsistency in circulation, but I 
flatter myself, we have a sufficient quantity of the 
genuine coin in the vault of patriotism, to redeem 
enough of this paper, should a pressure come upon us, 
to save our country from bankruptcy. But, to render 
us safe, as a nation and people, the virtue of consist- 
ency must be more thoroughly and generally inculcated. 
Inconsistency is a rank, poisonous weed, and is taking 
deep root in our soil. Confined to no age or country, its 
unholy leaven, once introduced into the mass, may 
'only pollute the whole lump, and produce fearful 
and rapid destruction. Its march is onward; it gains 
force and velocity, and the moment it is permitted to 
the summit of the inclined plane of reason, the 



CONSISTENCY. 3£ 

rope of patriotism snaps, the hook of integrity h 
broken, the car of government and social order i& 
plunged into the awful gulf of revolution, and often 
injured, beyond the possibility of repair.- When the 
death knell of our admired republic is sounded, it will 
be with the grating notes of the clarion of inconsistency. 

How important that our public men be consistent, 
discreet, wise, virtuous. If they are not so, it is the 
fault of the people, if they do not supply their places 
by those that are. Upon the virtue and intelligence 
of the mass, a free government depends. Let con- 
sistency, in all things, be practised by our people indi- 
vidually ; we will then insure the prosperity and safety 
of our free institutions, not otherwise. Each person 
contributes to form national character. The key stone 
of the arch of consistency, is pure and undefiled reli- 
gion. No people can be truly great, unless they are 
truly good. All history proves the truth pf this asser- 
tion. True greatness is that which produces the 
greatest amount of happiness. This is never based 
on military power, or the pageantry of courts. The 
ancient patriarchs, and those around them, enjoyed 
more substantial comfort than the kings of Greece, the 
emperors of Rome, or the monarchs of modern times, 
and their vassal subjects. 

All power is in the people, and if surrendered to an 
individual, they enter into voluntary slavery. This is 
gross inconsistency ; the spawn of duplicity, the scourge 
of slaves, arid a national curse. Man came from the 
hand of his Creator free, and betrays his God by vol- 
untarily surrendering that freedom to man. To make, 
and maintain laws of social order, is not, as some 
casuists have contended, a surrender of personal liber- 



40 THE PROBE. 

ty, when that liberty is predicated on its legitimate 
foundation — virtue. The arrangements of a social 
compact, are a consolidation of personal liberty, like 
the consolidation of money in a co-partnership, for the 
purpose of increasing, not of diminishing strength. 
This consolidation of personal liberty, raises the mass 
of individuals from savage barbarism, to national civil- 
ization and freedom, imparting and refining rational 
enjoyment, and prompting mutual improvement and 
protection. 

That each member may add to the strength of the 
compact, let the following maxims be observed, as the 
indexes of consistency. 

Remember that contentment is the real philosopher's 
stone. Shun idleness — it is the parent of poverty — the 
idle man's brain is the devil's work shop. Avoid in- 
temperance — Bacchus has drowned more persons than 
Neptune. Bear misfortunes with fortitude — prosperity 
with meekness. Betray no trust, divulge no secret. 
Confine your tongue within proper limits, or it may 
confine you within the cells. Command your temper, 
or it may place you under the command of the police. 
Curb every licentious passion, throttle every unholy 
propensity. Remember that brevity is the soul of wit, 
business the salt of life, punctuality the life of busi- 
ness, and discretion, the safety valve of action. Equity 
is the bond of social order, truth the basis of n\[ ex- 
cellence — let them guide you through life. Enter not 
into party faction and political intrigue — they are the 
canker worms of our elective franchise, and the bane 
of legislation. Practise the golden rule — do not be 
content with the silver one — do as you are done by, 
and most scrupulously avoid the iron ride, to gain the 



CONTENTMENT. 41 

end regardless of means. Practise charity, love mercy, 
deal justly, walk humbly, trust in God, obey his pre- 
cepts, do good and no evil to your fellow men, and BE 

CONSISTENT TO THE LAST. 



CONTENTMENT. 

'Tis better to be Jowly born 
And range with humble livers in content, 
Than to be perk'd up in a glistening grief ; 
And wear a golden sorrow. — Shakespeare. 

Contentment is felicity. Few are the real wants 
of man. Like a majority of his troubles, they are more 
imaginary than real. Some well persons want to be 
better, take medicine, and become sick in good earnest 
— perhaps die under some patented nostrum. Some 
persons have wealth — they want more — enter into some 
new business they do not understand, or some wild 
speculation, and become poor indeed. Many who are 
surrounded by all the substantial comforts of life, become 
discontented because some wealthier neighbor sports a 
carriage, and his lady, a Brussels carpet and mahogany 
chairs, entertains parties, and makes more show in 
the world than they. Like the monkey, they attempt to 
imitate all they see that is deemed fashionable ; make 
a dash at greater contentment ; dash out their comfort- 
able store of wealth ; and sometimes, determined on 
quiet at least, close the farce with a tragedy, and dash 
their brains out with a blue pill. Discontented persons 
live in open rebellion against their great Benefactor, and 
virtually claim wisdom, more than infinite. They covet 
they wish, and wishes are as prolific as rabbits. One 
6 d2 



42 THE PROBE. 

imaginary want, like a stool pigeon, brings flocks of 
others, and the mind becomes so overwhelmed, that it 
light of all the real comforts in possession. 
False theories of human happiness arc adopted, com 
mon sense and reason are paralyzed, a perverse tern 
per, like cider in the sun, becomes changed to an acute 
sour ; the imagined opinions of others, that they belong 
to the lower ten thousand, lash their pride into a float- 
ing fury; old fashioned contentment is banished from 
the domicil, and they start in full pursuit after an Ignis 
Faiuus, and are led, rapidly, into the quagmire of 
poverty and want. They barter competence, domestic 
felicity, and substantial comforts, for ideal good, and 
obtain, for their labour, the dregs of wretchedness. 
Let all remember, that a contented mind is a continual 
feast ; that most of the upper ten thousand are strang- 
ers to its enjoyments ; that confidence in God and a 
sweet submission to His will, arc the surest sources of 
happiness, and that Lazarus left his rags for Heaven, 
and the rich man left his riches, for that place of tor- 
ment, where the worm dicth not, and the fire is not 
quenched. 

"We want but little here below. 
Nor want that little lon_ 



CURRENTS 



In the Baltic sea, there is an upper and under cur- 
rent, running in opposite directions, a fit emblem of 
the men and customs of our country, in former times, 
and of the present day ; the under current represent- 
ing the happy simplicity and virtue of our pilgrim 



CURRENTS. 43 

fathers, and revolutionary patriots ; the upper, the in- 
consistency of many modern men, times, and practices. 
The man who studies the laws and operations of 
unerring nature, and drinks freely at her crystal foun- 
tain, enjoys a happiness, purer and nobler, than that 
drawn from many of the highly varnished schools of 
the present luminous era. In the days of Penn, Frank- 
lin, and Rittenhouse ; industry, a clear head, a matured 
judgment, and a good heart ; with a good share of 
what the modern literati are pleased to term, a com- 
mon education, were the best recommendations, and 
surest passports, to public esteem and promotion. 
Now, in view of very many, a liberal education forms 
the legitimate stepping stone to the pulpit, the legisla- 
tive hall, and the temple of fame. The primary land- 
marks of common knowledge and common sense, are, 
in view of many, lost, in the blaze of light, shed upon 
our country, by the luminaries of newly invented sys- 
tems of science. The under current of practical intel- 
ligence, fit for every day use, is sinking deeper and 
lower, beneath the foaming torrent of the upper cur- 
rent, formed of fashionable and polite literature. A 
sermon, or a public speech, to be acceptable to some 
modern ears, not hearts, must be trimmed, like a Pa- 
risian bonnet, with all the ribbons of a brilliant fancy, 
and flowers of rhetoric ; good sense and sound logic 
being a secondary matter. A few roses, culled from 
the dead, or foreign living languages, render it still 
more palatable. The waters of theology have become 
so deep, and so filled with snags and brush wood, that 
common fishermen can no longer labor with success. 
A man is no longer fit for the legislative hall, for the 
bar, or any of the learned professions, unless he has 



44 THE PROBE. 

mastered the classics and all the sciences, except the 
science of common business, and common sense, with- 
out which, he is a splendid ship without a helm. 

I mean no disrespect to high seminaries of learning, 
or to the literati, but congratulate our country, and 
them, that we enjoy the shining lights of the classics, 
and the highest branches of science. I only aim to 
correct a mistaken idea that has gained credence with 
many, that, when a man has graduated at college, he 
is raised above the Heaven-born principle of equality, 
and is privileged to ride through life on the shoulders 
of commercial, mechanical, and agricultural men; 
called, by some high-toned, aristocratic professors, the 
common herd ; but who are the bone and sinew of our 
country. Primary schools, where a thorough English 
education can be acquired, arc of the first importance, 
and should never be overwhelmed by the upper current 
of incorporated colleges. 

When the mechanic shop, the counting house, the 
plough, the distaff, and the kitchen ; fall into disrepute, 
and are submerged by the upper current of fashionable 
accomplishments, vain show, pomp, and parade ; the 
sun of our country's glory will set in gloom. When 
the republican simplicity of Greece and Home reced- 
ed before high classical literature, imported luxuries, 
and rules of etiquette — when they ceased to call men 
from the plough, to the cabinet and the iicld ; when the 
women exchanged the kitchen for the drawing room ; 
corruption supplanted virtue ; the genius of Liberty 
veiled its face, and fled; dissolution followed — ruin 
closed the scene. 

Fashion contributes largely to swell the upper cur- 
rent, now rolling its towering waves over our land. 



CURRENTS. 45 

Care, fatigue, vexation, envy, jealousy, loss of health, 
and a waste of wealth ; are the bitter fruits she gives 
to her devotees; often producing the consumption of 
poverty, and the pleurisy of blue ruin. She is the 
Ignis Fatuus of fancy; the farther she is pursued, the 
deeper the mire in her path. 

Idleness is an ingredient in the upper current, which 
was scarcely known, and never countenanced, in the 
good old linsey woolsey, tow and linen, mush and milk, 
pork and potatoe times of the pilgrim fathers, and 
revolutionary patriots. We now have those among 
us, who had rather go hungry and be clad in rags, 
than to work. We also have a numerous train of gen- 
tlemen idlers, who pass down the stream of life at the 
expense of their fellow passengers. They live well, 
and dress well, as long as possible, by borrowing and 
spunging, and then take to gambling, swindling, steal- 
ing, robbing ; and often pass on for years, before justice 
overtakes them. So long as these persons can keep 
up fashionable appearances, and elude the police, they 
are received into the company of the upper ten thou- 
sand. Many an idle knave, by means of a fine coat, 
a lily hand, and a graceful bow ; has been received into 
the polite circles of society with eclat, and walked, 
rough shod, over a worthy young mechanic or farmer, 
who had too much good sense to make a dash, or imi- 
tate the monkey shines of an itinerant dandy. A fine 
dress, in the eyes of some, covers more sins than 
charity. 

Among the wealthy, there are many who ride high 
in the upper current, preferring pleasure to business, 
bringing up their children in idleness and extravagance, 
instead of teaching them frugality and economy ; and 



46 THE PROBE. 

finally leave the world with their estates insolvent. 
Their sons and* daughters, being ignorant of business, 
cannot provide for themselves byjionest industry, and 
are often led into the purlieus of vice, and are quickly 
lost in the maelstrom of iniquity. 

Vanity, self conceit, and self ignorance, contribute to 
swell the upper current. Lying and deceit are ever 
rolling their frightful surges over the under current of 
truth, creating a dense fog that is impenetrable, and 
has proved disastrous to many fine vessels, which had 
credulity for a pilot, and neglected to cast out the 
anchor of investigation, and lay to, until the fog was 
dispelled. 

The politics of the present day form the foam of the 
upper current, and rush on, with a maddening fury, 
that constantly casts up mire and dirt. Formerly, the 
political car was moved by the motive power of reason, 
patriotism, and love of country— now, it is rushed for- 
ward by the locomotive of party spirit — and no one can 
tell how soon we shall be run off the track, and be 
dashed in pieces. 

Aristocracy is also contributing largely to swell the 
upper current, and is doing much to destroy the repub- 
lican simplicity of '76. 

Sectarianism, in matters of religion, has contributed 
to swell the upper current, and has often covered charity, 
humility, and forgiveness, with the waves of persecution 
and revenge, wounding the blessed Redeemer, in the 
house of his professed friends. 

In short, vice and immorality, in all their deceptive 
forms, are combined to swell the upper current, and 
would gladly sink the under current of wisdom and 
virtue, below the reach of mind ; and waft the family 



DEATH. 47 

of man, on the fiery billows of sin and corruption, be- 
yond the reach of hope, happiness, and peace. Let us 
all, in matters of domestic, political, moral, and religious 
economy ; beware of the upper current. Let us fasten 
the lead of reason, and buoy of Revelation to the line 
of consistency, and let our soundings be deep and often. 



DEATH. 

Death is the crown of life. 
Death wounds to cure ! we fall, we rise, we reign. — Young. 

The thought of meeting this king of terrors, is made 
unwelcome by most of the human family. Even the 
Christian is prone to treat the subject unkindly, until 
he is compelled to approach this grim monster, and, 
as the acquaintance increases, the insatiate devourer 
of the body loses his deformity, and, in the end, 
proves himself a genuine friend. We should all make 
the acquaintance of this, our final deliverer, volunta- 
rily and at once. Treat death as an enemy, and un- 
kindly leave him to force himself upon us at the last 
hour! How cruel. Treat death as an enemy! How 
ungrateful, unwise, and imprudent. Is he an enemy, 
who delivers us from pains, follies, disappointments, 
miseries and wo? Is he an enemy, who transfers us 
from delusive dreams, from the region of bubbles and 
corroding cares ; to a region where all is pure, substan- 
tial, enduring joy and endless felicity? It is a libel on 
death to call him our foe, a king of terrors, an enemy. 

Frail man comes into the world crying, cries on 
through life, and is always seeking after some desired 
thing which he imagines is labelled happiness, or is 



48 THE PROBE. 

mourning over some loss, which makes him miserable; 
a restless mortal body, with an immortal soul, that re- 
quires something more than earth can give to satisfy 
its lofty desires ; the soul that hails death as the wel- 
come messenger, to deliver it from its ever changing 
ever decaying prison house of clay, called man; on 
which time wages a perpetual war; whitening his 
locks, furrowing his cheehs, stealing his ivory, weak- 
ening his nerves, paralyzing his muscles, poisoning his 
blood, battering his whole citadel, deranging the whole 
machinery of life, and wasting his mental powers; 
until he becomes twice a child; and then delivers him 
over to his last and best friend, death, who breaks the 
carnal bondage, sets the imprisoned spirit free, closing 
a toilsome career of infelicity ; opening the door of im- 
mortal happiness, returning the soul to its own, origi- 
nal, and glorious home; to go no more out forever. 
Not to become familiar with death, is to endure much 
unnecessary fear, and add to the myriads of the other 
imaginary woes of human life. For the Christian, 
death has 113 real terrors — all who are wise, are Chris 
tians. 



DEBTS. 

The money that has been lost by the ruinous credit 
system in our country, could it be gathered into one 
aggregate sum, would be sufficient to pay our national 
debt, the debts of each state and corporation, and 
build a railroad from Boston to Oregon. By the 
last Bankrupt Law, as short a time as it was in force, 
about one hundred millions of dollars, in bad debts, 



DEBTS. 49 

were blotted out as by magic ; and thousands of honest 
men, who were better entitled to its benefits, than 
many who enjoyed them, did not apply for relief. Con- 
tracting debts, is not unlike the man who goes to sea 
without a compass — he may steer clear of rocks, sand- 
bars, a lee shore, and breakers ; but the chances are 
greatly against him; and, if he runs foul of either, ten 
to one he is lost. The present indiscriminate credit 
system is a labyrinth, the entrance is easy, but how to 
get out — that's the question. It is an endless chain, 
and if one link breaks in a particular community, it 
deranges the whole. The concussion may break many 
more, create a panic, and the chain become useless. 
If this misfortune would cure the evil, it would be a 
blessing in disguise; but so deeply rooted is this sys- 
tem among us, that no sooner is one chain destroyed, 
than another is manufactured; an increasing weight is 
put upon it ; presently, some of its lin^s snap, another 
concussion is produced, and creates a new panic; car 
after car rushes down the inclined plane of bankrupt- 
cy, increasing the mass of broken fragments and gene- 
ral ruin, all so commingled, that a Philadelphia lawyer, 
aided by constables and sheriffs, can bring but little 
order out of the confusion. At the outset, especially 
among merchants, a ruinous tax is imposed by this 
system, upon the vendor and vendee. The seller, in 
addition to a fair profit for cash in hand, adds a larger 
per cent, to meet losses from bad debts, but which 
often falls far short of the mark. Each purchaser, 
who is ultimately able to pay, bears the proportionate 
burden of this tax, and both contribute large sums to 
indulge those who cannot, and, what is worse, those 
who never intended to pay; thus encouraging fraud, 
7 E 



w 



50 THE PROBE. 

sometimes subsequent, but often original in its con 
ception. Like the tariff, the sinuosities of this system 
are understood but by a few, and realized by fewer 
sti|l. From the manufacturer to the consumer, the 
rax, induced by the credit system, is increased; the lat- 
ter consumes more freely because he buys on credit, 
extravagance usurps the place of economy and pro- 
duces idleness; the retailer, who has imposed the last 
and largest tax, often finds nothing left with his cus- 
tomer, but the rags of the goods he has sold, and the 
carcase his provisions have sustained. The officers 
of the law close the farce, by playing upon the rags 
and carcase with sundry paper implements, with re- 
sults less curious and more expensive, than those of 
the galvanic battery upon a corpse. The consumer is 
the swivel link in the chain, the moment this swivel 
loses its head, by too much pressure and friction, the 
derangement commences. The links may be keyed 
together by delay, as the farmer keys his chain with 
wood, but the key soon wears out, and the last failure 
may be at a worse time and place than the first. 

Debts contracted by borrowing, are more onerous, 
not to say, as many do, more honorable, than those 
incurred by purchase. The borrower becomes a bound 
slave to the lender, and places his heirs in the same 
situation. He goes to sea with a (Leek load, and little 
or no ballast in the hold, and a sudden squall of for- 
tuitous wind, throws his craft on its beams ends, and 
often, the wreck but little more than pays the salvage 
of the court officers ; lender and borrower are both 
carried into the breakers, and dashed on a lee barren 
shore, drenched and pennyless. We have hordes of 
small borrowers of money, who are the gad flies of 



DEBTS. 51 

community. Each is satisfied with a drop, but their 
numbers are so great, that, if not guarded against by 
the fly net of resolution, they will weaken the system 
by their combined draughts. To ask for small debts, 
is painful to the lender, and is considered an insult to 
the borrower. 

We have many who are prone to contract new debts, 
and lose sight of old ones. They are mere passengers 
in the life boat, and leave others to work at the oar, 
and furnish every thing. As time rolls on, the Statute 
of Limitation dims their vision : the Rubicon passed, the 
debts are cancelled. It is " a fair business transac- 
tion," say they, the law intervenes ; abused confidence, 
honour, integrity, justice and conscience; have no part 
or lot in the matter. We will obey the law, " and 
make it honorable." 

We have also another species of small borrowers, 
who may feel neglected if not noticed : those who bor- 
row a bucket of coal, a piece of butter, a little meat, 
salt, pepper, flour, ginger, tea, coiFee, milk, sugar, with 
a piece of candle, and a little of all the good things for 
the stomach, and sometimes, not so often, a piece of 
soap, wash basin, and towel. These borrowers have^ 
generally bad memories, and, if their memories serve 
them, their weights and measures are lessened by long 
use ; or, perhaps they think it right to take toll enough 
to pay for running their borrowing machine. 

So long as the pernicious credit system is the order of 
the day, monetary pressures, panics, convulsions, and 
revulsions will continue in our country ; producing dis- 
tress and ruin at each periodical return. Owe no 
man, is an injunction of Holy Writ, and, if not obeyed, 
like the violation of the other injunctions radiating from 



52 THE PROBE. 

that polar star to guide man to happiness and peace, 
the consequences are often disastrous. 



DESPAIR. 

A dark cold calm, which nothing now can breaK, ' 

Or warm, or brighten — like that Syrian lake, 

Upon whose surface morn and summer shed 

Their smiles in vain — for all beneath is dead. — Moore. 

No calamity can produce such paralysis of the mind, 
as despair. It is the cap stone of the climax of human 
anguish. The mental powers are frozen with indif- 
ference, the heart becomes ossified with melancholy, 
the soul is shrouded in a cloud of gloom. No words of 
consolation, no cheerful repartee, can break the death- 
like calm : no love can warm the pent-up heart, no 
sunbeams dispel the dark clouds. Time may effect a 
change ; death will break the monotony. We can ex- 
tend our kindness, but cannot relieve the victim. We 
may trace the causes of this awful disease ; God only 
can effect a cure. We may speculate upon its nature, 
but cannot feel its force, until its iron hand is laid upon 
us. We may call it weakness, but cannot prove or 
demonstrate the proposition. We may call it folly, 
but can point to no frivolity to sustain our position. 
We may call it madness, but can discover no maniac 
actions. We may call it stubbornness, but can sec no 
exhibitions of indocility. We may call it lunacy, but 
cannot perceive the incoherences of that unfortunate 
condition. We can call it, properly, nothing but dark, 
gloomy despair, an undefined and undcfinable paraly- 
zation of all the sensibilities that render a man happy, 



DESPAIR. 53 

and capable of imparting happiness to those around 
him. It is a state of torpid dormancy, rather than a 
mental derangement of the cerebral organs. 

It is induced by a false estimate of things, and of the 
dispensations and government of the God of mercy. 
Disappointments, losses, severe and continued afflic- 
tions, sudden transition from wealth to poverty, the 
death of dear friends ; may cast a gloom over the 
mind that does not correctly comprehend the great first 
cause, and see the hand of God in every thing ; and 
produce a state of despair, because these things are 
viewed in a false mirror. Fanaticism in religious 
meetings has produced the most obstinate and melan- 
choly cases of despair, that have come under my own 
observation. Intelligence, chastened by religion, are 
the surest safeguards against this state of misery ; ig- 
norance and vice are its greatest promoters. Despair 
is the destruction of all hope, the deathless sting, that 
refines the torment of the finally impenitent and lost. 
It is that undying worm, that unquenchable fire, so 
graphically described in Holy Writ. 

Reader, if you desire an insurance against the iron 
grasp of despair, you can obtain it without money and 
without price, by applying to the immaculate Re- 
deemer. He stands, with open arms, to receive, and 
keep in safety, all who believe in His name and put 
their trust in Him, for time and eternity. Then you 
may hope on and hope ever. Then you will have a 
sheet anchor to your soul, that will enable you to out- 
ride the storms of time, and at last, be moored in the 
haven of eternal rest. 

e2 



54 THE PROBE. 



DISCRETION. 



Tins important principle is, wisdom applied to prac- 
tice. It is one of those terms that many measure by 
the sliding scale, so much in use by those whose judg- 
ments are warped by circumstances, who are men of 
principle according to their own interest ; whose con- 
sciences are as elastic as India rubber ; who wind them- 
selves up in self, like a cocoon, and run counter to the 
design of their creation ; mere automatons in the 
scale of being, so far as usefulness is concerned. The 
party man deems it discreet to do all within his power 
to advance the interests of his party, right or wrong. 
The applicant for an office,, in many instances, deems 
it discreet to resort to wire working, pipe laying, and 
all other means within the compass of his ingenuity, 
to accomplish his object. Many incumbents of elective 
offices, consider it discreet to use every exertion to 
make capital for their reelection ; others, who hold 
their places at the will of a superior, crouch and fawn, 
like spaniels, before their master. 

Each religious sect is prone to deem it discreet to 
make all the proselytes in its power, seeming more anx- 
ious to increase numbers, than Christian graces, especi- 
ally, when coldness has paralyzed the hearts of its mem- 
bers, and nothing but the form of godliness is left. The 
man of ambition deems it discreet to gratify his desires, 
by turning every occurrence to his advantage, that will 
forward his designs. The miser deems it discreet to 
hoard up his gold from every source from which it can be 
drawn ; starve and freeze his body, and neglect the inter- 
ests of his immortal soul. Some deem it discreet to use 



DISCRETION. 



5$ 



alcohol moderately every day ; others, to have a reaF 
spree now and then; and others think they are discreet, 
if they do not drown their mental powers with this 
deadly poison, more than once a month. There are 
many other degrees on this sliding scale, that the reader 
is left to figure out. 

Do you ask, what is discretion ? I will first 
answer negatively. It is not that grasping propensity, 
that imposes increasing toil without enjoyment ; it is 
not that narrow, selfish disposition that starves those 
around it, and spurns the hungry poor when they ap- 
proach ; it is not the calculating spirit, that studies the 
rule of loss and gain, more than the Bible; it is not 
that jealousy, that keeps a feline watch over all around, 
and distrusts every one ; it is not that cunning, that pre- 
fers intrigue to manly openness ; it is not that want 
of moral courage, that shrinks from any call of duty; 
in short, nothing is discretion, that is adverse to wis- 
dom. 

Affirmatively ; discretion is the development of a 
sound and wise judgment-^a benevolent and good 
heart. It seeks a happy equilibrium in all things ; it 
aims at pure happiness in time, and in eternity; it pur- 
sues noble ends by honorable means ; it shuns all ap- 
pearance of evil, and meets, with fortitude and resig- 
nation, the ills flesh is heir to ; it applies the touch- 
stone of plain, common sense, aided by Revelation, to 
every thing ; it is practical in all its operations ; it 
rigidly tests fine spun theories, before it adopts them ; 
it induces rational enjoyments — but considers no pleas- 
ures rational, that disqualify the soul for the enjoyment 
of a blissful immortality beyond the grave ; it clearly 
discerns what is right, and has sufficient moral force 



56 THE PROBE. 

and energy to pursue the right and shun the wrong ; it 
is cool, deliberate, reflective ; but resolute, strong, and 
efficient ; it is economy, without parsimony ; liberality, 
without prodigality ; benevolence, without ostentation ; 
wealth, without pride ; sincerity, without dissimulation; 
and goodness, without affectation. 

Parents should teach it to their children by precept 
and example. Teachers should enforce it upon their 
pupils ; it should take its appropriate place in the po- 
litical arena — in the departments of State — in our legis- 
lative halls — in the cabinet — in the executive chamber 
— in our international negotiations and intercourse — 
in our courts of justice — in our seminaries of learning 
— in our pulpits — in our social meetings — in the do- 
mestic circle — in family government — in the juvenile 
nursery — in match making — in short, discretion should 
regulate all our conduct for time, and in view of eter- 
nity. Let it be the helm to guide our bark on the sea 
of life, that we may be safely wafted to the haven of 
lasting rest. 



DUELLING. 

Am I to set my life upon a throw, 

Because a bear is rude and surly? No. — Cowper. 

False honor, like false religion, is worse than 
none. They l^oth lead to destruction, and are depre- 
cated by all good men. The one is a relic of the bar- 
barous ages — the other is somewhat older, having first 
been imposed on old mother Eve, by the devil. 

That cool, deliberate murder should be tolerated in 
this land of gospel light and moral reform, is as aston- 



DUELLING. 57 

ishing, as it is humiliating and disgraceful. And that 
the murderer should afterwards be countenanced, and 
even caressed, and honored with places of public trust 
and emolument ; is shocking to every man, who has a 
proper sense of moral obligations. He who can calmly 
make up his mind to take the life of his fellow man, 
on the field of false honor, is an enemy to God and 
the human race, and, if he succeeds in his cowardly 
purpose, should be treated as an outlaw, and have the 
mark of Cain branded, in blazing capitals, on his blood- 
stained forehead. The man who has not genuine 
courage enough to refuse a challenge, forfeits his 
native dignity, insults Deity, violates reason, betrays 
the trust reposed in him by his great Creator, and 
is guilty of prolonging this barbarous practice. By 
refusing, he punishes him who seeks his life, in the 
severest manner. The man who refuses the first chal- 
lenge, is seldom annoyed with a second. Those who 
are known to be opposed to this hellish practice, are 
not interfered with by the gentlemen " bears" of false 
honor.,. Let public opinion, uniformly and universall < y, 
point the finger of withering scorn at the duellist — this 
would do more to cure him of his fighting mania, than 
any other thing, except the want of subjects. 

I recollect many cutting answers to challenges, that 
inflicted severer wounds than to be shot with the blue 
pill. Here is one, "Sir, Your desire to have me shoot 
you, cannot be complied with. My father taught me, 
when a boy, never to waste powder on game not worth 
bringing home." Another, " Sir, I am opposed to 
murder in any form — of course I cannot consent to 
shoot you, or volunteer to be shot myself. To gratify 
your strong desire for burning powder, mark out my 
8 



58 THE PROBE. 

full length portrait on a barn — if you can hit that, con- 
sider me shot, and your honor vindicated." Another, 
" Sir, I fear not your sword, but the sword of God's 
auger. I dare venture my life in a good cause, but 
cannot venture my soul in a bad one. I will charge 
upon the cannon's mouth for my country, but I want 
courage to storm hell." No man, who is engaged in 
duelling, is a Christian or a philosopher. 



EDUCATION. 

In one of my former publications, I referred to the 
increasing errors on this subject — that of overshooting 
the mark. Too many have imbibed the idea, that to 
obtain a sufficient education to enable a man to appear 
advantageously upon the theatre, especially of public 
life ; his boyhood and youth jnust be spent within the 
walls of some classical seminary of learning, that he 
may commence his career under the high floating ban- 
ner of a collegiate diploma — with them, the first round 
in the ladder of fame. 

That a refined classical education is desirable, and 
one of the accomplishments of a man, I admit — that it 
is indispensably necessary, and always makes a man 
more useful, I deny. He who has been incarcerated, 
from his childhood, up to his majority, within the limit- 
ed circumference of his school and boarding room, 
although he may have mastered all the classics, is 
destitute of that knowledge of men and things, indis- 
pensably necessary ,to prepare him for action, either in 
private or public life. Classic lore and polite litera- 
ture, are very different from that vast amount of com- 



EDUCATION. 59 

mon intelligence, fit for every day use, that he must 
have, to render his intercourse with society pleasing to 
himself, or agreeable to others. He is liable to impo- 
sition at every turn he makes. He may have a large 
fund of fine sense, but if he lacks common sense, he is 
like a ship without a rudder. Let boys and girls be 
taught, first and last, all that is necessary to prepare 
them for the common duties of life — if the classics and 
polite literature can be worked between the coarser 
branches, they will be much safer — as silk goods are, 
enclosed in canvass, or a bale. I wish not to under- 
value high seminaries of learning — but rather to stimu- 
late those to persevere in the acquirement of science, 
who are deprived of the advantage of their dazzling 
lights. Franklin, Sherman, and others, emerged from 
the work shop, and illuminated the world as brightly, 
as the most profound scholar from a college. In this 
enlightened age, and in our free country, all who will, 
may drink, deeply, at the pure fountain of science. 
Ignorance is a voluntary misfortune. By a proper im- 
provement of time, the apprentice of the mechanic 
may lay in a stock of useful knowledge, that will 
enable him, when he arrives at manhood, to take a 
respectable stand by the side of those who have grown 
up in the full blaze of a collegiate education — and with 
a better prospect of success at the start, because he is 
much better stocked with common information, without 
which, a man is a poor helpless animal. 



60 



THE PROBE. 



ELOQUENCE 



That I may not stand alone in my views on the 
subject of genuine eloquence, I will give those of that 
able statesman, John Adams, and those of one of his 
cotemporaries, whose name I do not find with the ex- 
tract. Mr. Adams remarked, " Oratory, as it consists 
in the expression of the countenance, graces of atti- 
tude and motion, and intonation of voice, although it is 
altogether superficial and ornamental, will always 
command admiration, yet it deserves little veneration. 
Flashes of wit, corruscations of imagination, and gay 
pictures; what are they? Strict truth, rapid reason, 
and pure integrity, are the only essential ingredients 
in oratory. I flatter myself, that Demosthenes, by his 
'action! action! action!' meant to express the same 
opinion." 

The other writer observes, "Clearness, force and 
earnestness, are qualities that produce conviction. 
True eloquence, indeed, does not consist in speech. 
It cannot be brought from far. Labor and learning 
may toil for it; but they toil in vain. Words and 
phrases may be marshalled in every way; but they 
cannot compass it. It must exist in the man, in the 
subject, and in the occasion. Affected passion, intense 
expression, the pomp of declamation, all may aspire 
after it, but they cannot reach it. It comes, if it comes 
at all, like the outbreaking of a fountain from the 
earth, or the bursting forth of volcanic fires, with 
spontaneous, original? native force. The graces taught 
in schools, the courtly ornaments and studied contri- 
vances of speech, shock and disgust men, when their 



ELOQUENCE. 61 

own lives, and the lives of their wives and children, 
and their country, hang on the decision of an hour. 
Then, words have lost their power; rhetoric is vain, 
and all elaborate oratory contemptible. Then, even 
genius feels rebuked and subdued, as if in the pre- 
sence of higher qualities. Then, patriotism is eloquent ; 
then, self devotion is eloquent. The clear conception, 
outrunning the deductions of logic; the high purpose, 
the firm resolve, the dauntless spirit, speaking on the 
tongue, beaming from the eye, informing every feature, 
and urging the whole man onward — right onward to 
his object — this, this is eloquence, or rather, it is some- 
thing greater than eloquence — it is action, noble, sub- 
lime, and god-like action." 

Rhetoric, as taught in our seminaries, and by itine- 
rant elocutionists, is one thing; genuine, heart-thrilling, 
soul-stirring eloquence, is a very different thing. The 
one is like the rose in wax, without odor; the other, 
like the rose on its native bush, perfuming the atmos- 
phere with the rich odors, distilled from the dew of 
heaven. The one is the finely finished statue of a 
Cicero or Demosthenes, more perfect in its lineaments 
than the original; pleasing the eye and enrapturing 
the imagination ; the other is the living man, animated 
by intellectual power, rousing the deepest feelings of 
every heart, and electrifying every soul, as with vivid 
lightning. The one is a picture of the passions all 
on fire; the other is the real conflagration; pouring 
out a volume of words, that burn, like liquid flames, 
bursting from the crater of a volcano. The one attracts 
the admiring gaze, and tickles the fancy of an audi- 
ence ; the other sounds an alarum, that vibrates through 
the tingling ears to the soul, and drives back the rush- 

F 



62 Tin: probe. 

ing blood upon the aching heart. The one falls upon 
the multitude like April showers, glittering in tho sun- 
beams, animating and bringing nature into mellow 
life; the other rouses the same mass to deeds of noble 
daring, and imparts to it the terrific force of an ava- 
lanche. The one moves the cerebral foliage iu waves 
of recumbent beauty, like a gentle wind passing over 
a prairie of tall grass and flowers ; the other strikes a 
blow, that resounds through the wilderness of mind, like 
rolling thunder through a forest of oaks. The one 
fails, when strong commotions and angry elements 
agitate the public peace; the other can ride upon the 
whirlwind, direct the tornado, and rule the storm. 



EMINENCE. 

Men who anticipate the enjoyment of happiness from 
great eminence in any thing this world can bestow 7 , are 
doomed to disappointment when they attain the desid- 
eratum of their wishes. Ask our ex-presidents, who 
are still on the stage of life, if they enjoyed as much 
happiness when the responsibilities of our national in- 
terest rested upon them, as when in private life ? Xo, 
will be the prompt reply. Put the same interrogatory 
to those who have reached the highest pinnacle of 
eminence in the different professions, and the answer 
will uniformly be the same. 

Visit the abodes of royalty, and you will find a 
keener pungency of disquietude there, than in our 
country. Queen Mary, in a letter to William III., 
when he was in Ireland, discoursed as follows : " I 
must see company on set days — I must laugh and talk, 



EMINENCE. 63 

though never so much against my will— I must grin, 
when my heart is ready to break, and talk, when my 
heart is so oppressed that I can scarce breathe. All 
my motions are watched, and all I do so observed, that 
if I eat less, or speak less, or look more grave, all is 
lost in the opinion of the world." Washington fre- 
quently observed, towards the close t of life, that he 
would not repass it, were it in his power to do so. 

The happiness of a contented hod carrier, far sur- 
passes that of the king or queen on a throne, or that 
of those in high stations in our own republican, but 
increasing aristocratic land. Public life is a bore. Our 
public men are bored constantly by a horde of boor 
borers. Happiness is not an inmate of the confused 
arena of public life. In peaceful retirement, amidst 
the domestic and social circle, she delights to take up 
her abode. With competence, she best associates, but 
smiles more propitiously on virtuous poverty, than on 
the pomp and show of wealth and high life. 

But no earthly happiness is complete until religion 
throws its sacred halo around it. 

Here is firm footing; here is solid rock! 

This can support us, all is sea besides. 

Sinks under us, bestorms, and then devours. 

His hand the good man fastens on the skies, 

And bids earth roll, nor feels her idle whirl. — Young. 

Let those who are in full flight after eminence, re- 
member they are not in pursuit of Happiness, but are 
seeking Eminence ; don't mistake the name, by so 
doing, you might be put on the wrong track. 



64 



THE PROBE. 



ENVY. 



Envy, like the sun, does beat 

With scorching rays, on all that's high or great. — Wall. 

Of all the ills that issued from the box of that ugly 
jade, Pandora, the production of Jupiter, envy inflicts 
the most misery upon the unfortunate subject over 
whom it reigns triumphant. Like Milton's fiend in 
Paradise, he sees, undelighted, all delight. The bright- 
ness of prosperity that surrounds others, pains the eyes 
of the envious man, more than the meridian rays of 
the sun. It starts the involuntary tear, and casts a 
gloom over his mind. It brings into action, jealousy, 
revenge, falsehood, and the basest passions of the 
fallen nature of man. It goads him onward with a 
fearful impetus, like a locomotive ; and often runs his 
car off the track, dashes it in pieces, and he is left, 
bruised and bleeding. Like the cuttle fish, he emits 
his black venom for the purpose of darkening the clear 
waters that surround his prosperous neighbors ; and, 
like that phenomenon of the sea, the inky substance is 
confined to a narrow circumference, and only tends to 
hide himself. The success of those around him throws 
him into convulsions, and, like a man with the delirium 
tremens, he imagines all who approach him, demons, 
seeking to devour him. Like Hainan, he often erects 
his own gallows in his zeal to hang others. His mind 
is like the troubled sea, casting up the mire of revenge, 
and the dirt of slander. His brain is enveloped in the 
fiery clouds of anger ; his blood foams like alkali and 
acid combined; his heart is inconstant commotion; his 



EXAMINATION. 65 

ideas are multiform and perplexed. If in his power, 
he would bottle up the sunshine, rain, and dew of 
Heaven, to keep them from others. Uncharitable as 
it may be, he becomes an object of contempt, rather 
than pity. His disease is malum in se, and as difficult 
of cure as the leprosy, and quite as loathsome. The 
best remedy is religion ; the surest, to have every body 
dead and he keep tavern. There is hope in the first ; 
the patient would soon become weary of the last, and 
die of ennui. 

Reader, if envy is rankling in your bosom, declare 
war against it at once; a war of extermination; no 
truce, no treaty, no compromise. Like the pirate on 
the high seas, it is an outlaw, an enemy to all man- 
kind, and should be hung up at the yard arm, until it 
is dead, dead, DEAD. 



EXAMINATION. 



KNOW THYSELF.' 



It has been said this precept descended from Hea- 
ven — but, if we are close observers of mankind, and 
can realize how little we are acquainted with all that 
relates to ourselves, we may doubt whether it has 
reached the human family, and may yet be on its jour- 
ney — or, at all events, has not yet commenced the suc- 
cessful discharge of its important mission to our planet. 
So keen is the vision of most men, when looking at 
those around them, that, with a beam in their own, 
they can see a mote in the eyes of their neighbors. 
Few there are, who know their own powers of intel- 
9 F 2 



66 THE PROBE. 

lect — the strength of their propensities for weal or wo 
— the good they can perform, or the evils they can per- 
petrate. At one period of life, a man may shudder at 
the relation of a vile act committed by his fellow man, 
and subsequently, go beyond him in the commission of 
crime — plainly showing, as did Peter, the Apostle, he 
did not know himself. 

But few men analyze their own natures — and fewer, 
still, follow the lessons they learn in the school of self 
examination. We are prone to act from impulses not 
chastened by reason, and yield to circumstances, with- 
out tracing causes, or discerning effects. Too many 
there are, who tax all their powers to accomplish their 
ends, regardless of the means employed. This is the 
grand lever of the political demagogues and office 
seekers in our country, and is sometimes used in log- 
rolling legislation. The principle is base in its concep- 
tion, pernicious in its consequences. It is often pre- 
dicated upon falsehood — always fraught with dishonor 
— and is never practised by the pure in heart. 

If strangers to our own evil propensities, we are 
liable to be led captive at their will, and to be hurried 
on to the abyss of ruin — an end that no man aims at, 
when he spreads his sails to the breeze of time, and 
embarks on the ocean of life. Had he paused — become 
acquainted with himself, and weighed results — he might 
have seen the end, and avoided destruction. Charity 
for human nature, frail as it is, forbids the idea, that 
any man, at the commencement of his career upon the 
great theatre of life — intended to fill a drunkard's 
grave — spend a portion of his life in the penitentiary, 
or expiate his crimes upon the gallows. 

In prosperity, many, who deservedly sustain a high 



EXAMINATION. 6*7 

reputation for honesty, pure morality, and even of piety ; 
and who are pained when they see a weak brother 
leave the paths of virtue, and are liberal in their cen- 
sures upon him ; when adversity overtakes them, they 
are left, as some say, to dissimulation — deceit, and 
sometimes, have their names enrolled on the calendar 
of crime — proving, by melancholy demonstration, that 
they did not know themselves. He that knows him- 
self, knows others, and he alone is competent to speak 
and write of others. 

Of all ignorance, that of ourselves is most lament- 
able. It engenders self conceit — makes us the dupes 
of knaves — enslaves us to the most cruel of all masters 
— our evil passions ; renders us blind to our own in- 
terests — deprives us of happiness here, and endangers 
our future bliss. Many seem to be affected with a kind 
of delirium, like a person reduced to extreme weakness 
by disease — imagine they are strong, when they cannot 
sustain their own weight — hence, they are sure to fall 
when they attempt to go forward ; not being supported 
by their friends — reason, discretion, prudence, and vir- 
tue. If they knew themselves — realized their own 
weakness — the dangers of temptation — the proneness 
of human nature to turn from the highway that leads 
to pure happiness, and would make themselves ac- 
quainted with the inevitable results produced by fa- 
miliar causes — common sense, aside from Revelation, 
would warn them to avoid the quick-sands of error and 
the rocks of destruction, on which many a splendid 
craft has made shipwreck. Let all who desire a peace- 
ful life and a happy end, obey the Heavenly precept — 
Know thyself. 



68 



THE PROBE. 



EXPERIENCE. 



Experience has been called the mother of science, 
but, like most other mothers, has many disobedient, and 
some very unruly children. More lessons are learned in 
the school of this thorough matron, than are practised. 
They are of the most salutary kind, and usually so ex- 
pensive, that it is passing strange they should be dis- 
carded. But so it often is. The grosser passions of 
human nature wage a perpetual war upon the citadel 
of our true happiness, and too often take it by storm. 
Self conceit blinds us — self confidence betrays us ; our 
fancy, taste, and appetite lead us ; we heed not the 
warning voice of experience, and are hurried on by 
folly and vice, fully apprised of consequences. 

The ambitious man is enraptured with the history 
of Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and Bonaparte; 
and burns to tread in their footsteps. It is vain that 
experience informs him, that the former became dis- 
gusted with power, and killed himself with alcohol — 
that the other was stabbed in the Roman senate — and 
that the latter expired, a prisoner, on a desolate rock 
in the ocean. His thirst for power cannot be quenched 
by experience — he tempts fate. 

The inebriate commences his career in full view of 
the wrecks of intemperance strewed thick around him — 
has seen the desolations produced by rum — has fol- 
lowed the drunkard to the grave — perhaps to the gal- 
lows; yet he turns a deaf ear to the warning voice of 
experience, and plunges into the dark abyss of de- 
struction. 

The victims of lotteries, cards, dice, and all the de- 



EXPERIENCE. 69 

mon arts of the blackleg, are reduced to the keenest 
penury among us ; yet thousands of others, like the in- 
fatuated devotees of Juggernaut, throw themselves be- 
fore the wheels of this car of hell, and are crushed to 
poverty. 

The calendar of crime, the penalties of the criminal 
code, the various punishments that are so certain and 
frequent, from the small fine up to the gallows ; are 
sufficiently familiar to all to be avoided ; yet the voice 
of experience is unheeded by thousands, and their ca- 
reer of crime is only arrested by death. 

The whirlpool of wild and precarious speculation has 
often been gorged with ruined adventurers ; yet other 
multitudes follow in their wakes, regardless of the les- 
sons of experience, posted up in hand bills by the con- 
stable, sheriff, and auctioneer ; at every corner, in glaring 
capitals. A thirst for gain inspires a blind confidence ; 
they make a desperate leap after fortune — jump over 
low-water mark into the maelstrom, and sink to rise no 
more. The fatal consequences of crime and error, 
gleaming beacons thickly placed along the shores of 
time to warn against peril, are unheeded by millions ; 
and many who survive one shipwreck, in despite of ex- 
perience, again rush into the same danger, and are 
lost. 

Through all the multiform concerns of life, the hu- 
man family is constantly taking lessons in the school 
of experience, and paying dearly for them ; but obsti- 
nately refusing to profit by them. This fond mother 
may warn, reason plead, wisdom woo, common sense 
demonstrate ; but all to no purpose. Self conceit, 
blind confidence, carnal desires, pampered appetite, 
tyrannical habit ; all combine and bind the captive with 



70 THE PROBE. 

chains, that require an Almighty hand to break their 
ponderous links. 

Reader ! the evils uncorrected by experience, and 
their consequences, that have now passed in rehearsal, 
you must admit, involve! in one common ruin, wealth, 
health, reputation, and all the sources of human hap- 
piness, and endanger, perhaps may ruin, the soul. — Do 
you ask the remedy ! — Religion. 



FAME AND GLORY. 

Though fame is smoke, 
Its fumes ar© frankincense to human thoughts. — Byron. 

Fame, like money, should neither be despised or 
idolized. An honest fame, based on worth and merit, 
and gained, like large estates, by prudence and indus- 
try, deservedly perpetuates the names of the great and 
good. We have a species of spurious fame, some call 
it glory, that cither dies with the incumbent, or is 
ungrateful to the memory. Genuine fame is a better 
undertaker than physician, and deals more in epitaphs 
than prescriptions. Transient fame, or glory, requires 
as much, and more difficult labor to acquire it, because 
the offspring of ambition. 

Lacon has truly observed, in substance, The road 
to glory would cease to be arduous, if it were well 
trodden. Those who seek earthly glory, must always 
be ready to take and make opportunities for advance- 
ment — take and make paths to travel in. Some prac- 
tise simulation and dissimulation — leap and creep, like 
Caesar; kiss the ground, like Brutus; soar aloft and 
and stoop, to conquer — any thing to insure success. 



FAME AND GLORY. 71 

Brennus threw his sword in the trembling scale to 
turn it ; Nelson snatched the laurels from the hesitating 
hand of victory, and placed them on his own brow. 
Cromwell did not wait to strike, until the iron was hot, 
but made it hot by striking. Some can rule the storm 
of mind when raised — but few have lived, who could 
both raise and rule it. 

No glory or fame is both consolatory and enduring, 
unless based on virtue, wisdom, and justice. That 
acquired by wild ambition, is tarnished by association 
— time deepens the stain. We read the biography 
of Washington with calmness and delight; that of 
Bonaparte, with mingled feelings of admiration and 
abhorrence. We admire the gigantic powers of his 
intellect, the vastness of his designs, the boldness 
of their execution; but turn, with horror, from the 
slaughter-fields of his ambition, and his own dreadful 
end. His giddy height of power served to plunge him 
deeper in misery ; his lofty ambition increased the 
burning tortures of his exile; his towering intellect 
added a duplicate force to the consuming pangs of his 
disappointment. His fatal end should cool the ardoi 
of all who have an inordinate desire for earthly glory. 

There is a higher, purer glory, enduring as eternity, 
which is more worthy of immortal souls, than any 
thing earth can give. That glory is within the reach 
of all, and is not dependent on the caprice of the multi- 
tude. To obtain it, we have only to enlist under King 
Immanuel, fight manfully the good fight of faith ; he 
will enable us to triumph over every foe, and will 
reward us with palms of victory, and a crown of 
immortal glory. 



72 THE PROBE. 



F ANATICIS M 



Alchymists may doubt 
The shining gold their crucible gives out; 
But faith, fanatic faith, once wedded fast 



The great misfortune of fanatics has been, in all 
ages of the world, to embrace falsehood rather than 
truth; sophistry rather than sound logic; some new 
revelation of man, rather than that of divine authority. 
With charity and mercy, they hold no communion; for- 
giveness is no part of their creed ; persecution is their 
Moloch. They have shed rivers of blood under the 
pretence of serving God, and under the banner of the 
cross. The Crusades were an illustration of the awful 
consequences of fanaticism. They were six in number, 
undertaken for the recovery of the Holy Land from 
the Mahometans. The first was undertaken in 109G, 
and was excited by Peter the Hermit, and Walter the 
Moneyless. All Europe was in commotion, and seemed 
determined to exterminate the Turks at one bold 
stroke. An army of over one million marched to 
Jerusalem, took it by storm, and spared neither sex 
or age. Notwithstanding this victory, most of this 
immense army found a premature grave in Asia, and 
the remnant that returned, brought with them the pest- 
ilence, leprosy, and smallpox. A second crusade was 
undertaken in 1J45, by Lewis VII. of France; a third, 
by Richard I. of England, in 1190; a fourth, by 
Philip II. of France, in 1204; a fifth, by Lewis IX. 
of France, against Egypt, in 1248; and the sixth, by 
the same- king, against Tunis, in 1270, where he was 



FANATICISM. 73 

killed. The loss of life, in these crusades, is variously 
estimated by different historians, but by none, less 
than thirty millions — a sad commentary upon human 
nature, a solemn warning against blind zeal and in- 
fatuating fanaticism. 

Fanatics are inexorable to all entreaties for mercy ; 
all who are not with them, they treat as enemies; 
considering all heterodox, who do not embrace their 
dogmas. Fanaticism arrays father against son, mother 
against daughter; disregards all the ties of consan- 
guinity, all the bonds of former friendship, and all 
whom it cannot control, endeavors to destroy. 

Each set of fanatics are right in their own conceit, 
and detest all who think differently." The intelligence 
of the present day has stopped the effusion of blood 
among Christian nations by fanatics, and dispelled 
much of the darkness of fanaticism — but among the 
nations who still sit in gross darkness, it has lost none 
of its original features. The Turk would consider the 
sacred cities of Mecca and Medina polluted, was a 
Christian to step his foot in either. The Tartar be- 
lieves the lama to be immortal, and to eat certain parts 
of him, heaven is secured. The inhabitants of Mount 
Bata believe, the eating of a roasted cuckoo makes a 
saint ; and all these would sacrifice those who believe 
differently, if in their power. 

The Mormons and Millerites of our time and coun- 
try, have drunk largely at the fountain of fanaticism, 
and most of our religious sects have a slight tincture 
of it — enough to sometimes ridicule what they conceive 
to be error in others, instead of preaching nothing but 
Christ, and him crucified. As pure and undefiled re- 
ligion increases, when charity shall become the crown- 
l a G 



74 THE PROBK. 

ing glory of every Christian — when the gospel of peace, 
in its native loveliness, primitive purity, and Bible 
simplicity ; shall shed its glorious rays over the nations 
of the earth ; fanaticism will recede, until it shall he 
finally lost in the flood of light, that shall radiate from 
the sun of righteousness. Let Christians banish ;ill 
prejudices against sects, and warm their hearts in the 
melting sunbeams of charity — this will sooner make 
them of one heart and mind. 



FASHION. 

Loveliness 
Needs not the aid of foreign ornaments, 
But is, when unadorn'd. adorn'd the most. — Thompson. 

, We profess to be a Christian people, and are con- 
tributing, very sparingly to be sure, to the laudable 
^enterprise of sending the gospel to those nations that 
are enveloped in the darkness of idolatry ; and yet we 
.have an idol in our midst, worshipped with a zeal 
worthy of a Hindoo priest. No heathen god or goddess, 
has ever had more zealous devotees than Fashion, or 
a more absurd and humiliating ritual, or more morti- 
fying and cwiel penances. Her laws, like those of the 
Medes and Persians, must be implicitly obeyed, but 
unlike them, change, as certainly as the moon. They 
are rarely founded in reason, usually violate common 
sense, sometimes common decency, and uniformly 
•common comfort. 

Fashion, unlike Custom, never looks at the past, 
;as a precedent for the present or future. She imposes 
unanticipated burdens, without regard to the strength 
or means of her hood-winked followers, cheating them 



FASHION. 75 

out of time? fortune, and happiness ; repaying them 
with the consolation of being ridiculed by the wise, 
endangering health, and wasting means ; a kind of re- 
muneration rather paradoxical, but most graciously 
received. Semblance and shade are among her attri- 
butes. It is of more importance- for her worshippers 
to appear happy, than to be so. She makes Folly 
originator and conductor of ceremonies, all based on 
the rickety foundation of vain show ; each routine of 
which must be passively adhered to, until the fickle 
goddess shakes her kaleidoscope again, and then, O 
Jupiter ! what a bustle — not the Simon Pure variety 
bustle — but such a scampering to obey the mandate 
of the tyrant : — It could not be eclipsed by ten score 
of rats, should ferret, weasel, and puss, all pounce upon 
them at once. The least murmuring or halting on the 
part of a recusant, is punished with instant excommu- 
nication, and the ridicule of the fashionable community. 
If she requires oblations from the four quarters of the 
globe, they must be had, if wealth, health, and happi- 
ness are the price. If she fancies comparative naked- 
ness for winter, or five thicknesses of woollen for dog 
days — she speaks, and it is done. If she orders the 
purple current of life, and the organs of respiration to 
be retarded by steel, whalebone, buckram, drill, and 
cords, — it Js done. Disease laughs, and death grins at 
the folly of the goddess, and the zeal of the worshippers. 
If she orders a bag full of notions on the hips, a Chi- 
nese shoe on the foot, a short cut, a trail, a hoop, or 
balloon sleeve, or no sleeve, for a dress ; and a grain fan 
bonnet, or fool's cap for the head, she is obsequiously 
obeyed by the exquisitely fashionable ladies, and lauded 
by their beaux. If she orders her male subjects to 



76 THE PROBE. 

produce a crop of corns on their feet with tight boots, 
contract their muscles with straps at both ends, and 
their chests with steel springs, and hemp cords suitable 
for a hangman, and to play all the monkey shines of a 
coxcomb, with chains dangling, rattan flourishing, and 
soaplocks streaming in the breeze, they are quite as 
tractable and docile as the feminine exquisites. 

Fashion taxes without reason, and collects without 
mercy. She first infatuates the court and aristocracy, 
and then ridicules the poor if they do not follow in the 
wake, although they die in the ditch. This was exem- 
plified in the reign of Richard III., who was hump- 
backed. Monkey-like, his court, at the dictum of fash- 
ion, all mounted a bustle on their backs, and as this 
was not an expensive adjunct, the whole nation became 
hump backed — emphatically a crooked generation — 
from the peasant to the king, all were humped. 

When looking at the frivolity of fashion, I often think 
of the boy, who traced the fashions from the country 
to Philadelphia ; from thence to New York ; thence to 
Boston ; thence to Paris, and from thence to the devil ; 
when he exclaimed, "T thought they came from him, 
for they make folks look just like a picture of him in 
one of my books." 

If this tyrannical huzzy would be content with se- 
ducing the rich from the path of common sense, only 
for a short time, and would leave them something for 
old age, when she can no longer receive their adulation, 
she might have some claims to generosity ; but no, she 
not only often strips them as clear from feathers as a 
turkey on a spit, but searches the cellar and the garret 
— the cottage and the hovel, for victims. She takes 
fools by storm, the wise by deception and bribery, and 



FASHION. 77 

make? the Mordecais and Daniels tremble at the 
gong-sound of trumpet-tongued ridicule. Not only the 
vain - and giddy, the thoughtless and rattlebrained, 
dance attendance upon her, but many a statesman and 
philosopher, moralist and Christian, more or less from 
all classes, pay tythes, at least, into the treasury of this 
transatlantic, Americanized, aristocratic, brazen-faced 
goddess; who is constantly importing the trappings 
and extravagances of European courts, to smother 
republican simplicity. Fashion is the foster mother of 
vanity, the offal of pride, and has nursed her pet, until 
it is as fat as a sea turtle, is quite as wicked to bite, 
and harder to kill ; but, unlike that inhabitant of the 
herring pond, instead of keeping in a shell, it is mount- 
ed on a shell, adorned with every flummery that the old 
fickle minded, ever changing, never tiring, ignis fatum 
nurse can invent, intruding into all the avenues of life, 
scattering misery far and wide — faithless, fearless, un- 
compromising, and tyrannical. Reader, if you love 
freedom more than slavery, liberty more than thraldom, 
happiness more than misery, competence more than 
poverty ; never bow your knee to the goddess Fashion. 



FIRES. 

By referring to history, we find the great fires of 
our country scarcely deserve the name, either on land 
or water, in the amount of property destroyed, or in 
the destruction of human life. 

In the years 982, 1087, 1132, and 1136, nearly the 
whole of the city of London was destroyed by fire. On 
the 10th of July, 1212, the London bridge was burnt, 

g2 



78 THE PROBE. 

and two thousand persons perished. On the 2d of Sep- 
tember, 166G, a fire commenced near the monument, 
and continued four days and nights, spreading over 
four hundred and thirty-six acres of ground, four hun- 
dred streets, and consuming one hundred and thirteen 
thousand houses, and eighty-six churches, [n 1676*, 
this city was again threatened, for a time, with a sim- 
ilar fire, six hundred houses being destroyed before the 
flames were arrested. The next large fire in London, 
occurred July 22 and 23, 1794, when near seven hun- 
dred houses were destroyed, including an East India 
warehouse, in which were thirty-five thousand bags 
of saltpetre, but history says nothing of its "explo- 
sion" 

On the 21st of March, 1824, a dreadful fire occurred 
at Cario, Egypt, when six thousand persons lost their 
lives by the explosion of the magazine — gunpowder, 
not saltpetre ! In January, 1823, a great fire occurred 
in Canton, which consumed fifteen thousand houses, 
and occasioned the loss of five hundred lives. 

On the 4th of September, 1778, a fire occurred in 
Constantinople, which consumed two thousand houses. 
On the 22d of October, 1782, another occurred in the 
same city, which consumed forty thousand dwellings 
and fifty mosques. In July of the next, year, seven 
hundred houses were burnt. August 5, 1784, another 
fire occurred there, which destroyed ten thousand 
houses. During the year 1791, at different fires, thirty 
thousand houses were destroyed in that ill-fated city. 
On the 2d of August, 1816, this city lost twelve hun- 
dred and five houses and three thousand shops. In 
1818-20, several thousand more houses were de- 
stroyed. In February, 1813, a great fire occurred 



FIRES. 79 

there, destroying twelve thousand houses, four hundred 
boats, and four hundred lives. 

On the 21st of June, 1821, Paramaribo, the chief 
city of the Dutch colonies in South America, was al- 
most entirely destroyed by fire — damage estimated at 
twenty millions of guilders. On the 26th of August, 
1780, St. Petersburg!!, in Russia, sustained great dam- 
age by fire ; and on the 28th of November, of the same 
year, eleven thousand houses were destroyed by fire, 
communicated by lightning. On the 7th of June, 
1796, another fire occurred there, destroying a large 
magazine of naval stores, and one hundred vessels. 

Moscow, in Russia, founded, in 1147, was fired by the 
Tartars, in 1383, and almost entirely consumed. It 
was rebuilt, and, in 1571, again laid in ashes by the 
Tartars. It was again rebuilt, and, in 1611, destroyed 
by the Poles. From that time, this city enjoyed unin- 
terrupted prosperity up to the 14th of September, 1812, 
when Bonaparte entered it with his victorious army. 
It was then fired by the Russians, and continued burn- 
ing for several days, destroying more than three quar- 
ters of the city proper, then twenty miles in circumfer- 
ence, compelling the French army to retreat from the 
flames, causing the ruin of the army and the downfall 
of Bonaparte. Thirty thousand sick and wounded 
perished in the flames. 

At Brest, in France, on the 4th of December, 1776, 
the marine hospital was consumed, with a large num- 
ber of sick persons, and fifty galley slaves. 

On the 14th of February, 1807, the British ship 
Ajax was consumed off Tenedos, an island in the 
Grecian Archipelago, when three hundred and fifty 
men perished. 



80 THE PROBE. 

On the 6th of April, 1800, the British man-of-war, 
Queen Charlotte, was consumed by fire off Leghorn, 
when seven hundred lives were lost. 

Many other fires have occurred at different times, in 
other countries, of greater magnitude, than any that 
have taken place in our country. 

New York has suffered by fire, at different periods, 
more in amount, than any city in the United States. 
On the 29th of December, 1773, the government house 
in that city was consumed. Trinity church, the Charity 
school house, the Lutheran church, and one thousand 
houses, were consumed by fire in that city, on the 21st 
of September, 1776. On the 7th of August, 1778, 
another fire occurred, which destroyed three hundred 
houses. Many other fires occurred at different periods, 
consuming from twenty to sixty houses at a time, pre- 
vious to 1835, when greater damage was done than at 
any former fire. The destruction was estimated at 
over ten millions of dollars. The fire of last summer, 
in that city, is fresh in the minds of all, as also that of 
Quebec in Canada. 

On the 21st of March, 17SS, the greater portion of 
New Orleans was reduced to ashes. In Charleston, 
S. C, on the 15th of July, 1815, a fire occurred, which 
destroyed two hundred houses. 

On the 18th of January, 1827, a destructive fire 
occurred in Alexandria, D. C, which, owing to the in- 
clement season, caused great distress. Congress ap- 
propriated twenty thousand dollars towards the relief 
of the sufferers. 

On the 17th of December, 1786, Richmond, Va., was 
visited by a fire, which destroyed one hundred houses. 
On the 26th of December, 1811, the theatre at that 



FIRES. 81 

place was burnt, when seventy lives were lost, among 
them, the governor of the state. 

Raleigh, N. C, was nearly destroyed by fire, on the 
2d of October, 1832. Wilmington, in the same state, 
suffered greatly by fire in November, 1798. 

On the 26th of December, 1802, Portsmouth, N.H., 
had three hundred houses destroyed by fire. — August 
24, 1814, Washington city was fired by order of Gen. 
Ross, who commanded the British troops. The capitol, 
containing the national library, the house of the Presi- 
dent, and many private dwellings, were consumed, as 
also the dock yard and the bridge over the Potomac. 

Petersburg, Va., was visited by a destructive fire on 
the 26th of April, 1761 ; since which, it has been almost 
totally destroyed twice, by this destructive element. 

The first fire found on record, worthy of note, that oc- 
curred in Philadelphia, took place on the 24th of March, 
1790, when a calico manufactory was burnt on the 
south west corner of Market and Ninth streets. On the 
27th of January, 1797, the printing office and dwelling 
of Andrew Brown were consumed ; his wife and three 
children perished in the flames; and, on the 4th of 
February following, he died, from injuries received in 
endeavoring to rescue them. The most melancholy 
fire that ever occurred in this city, was the burning of 
the Orphan Asylum, on the 23d of January, 1822, 
when twenty-three of the poor orphans perished. Fire 
engines and hose were in use here as early as 1803. 

I now proceed to speak of the destructive fire which 
occurred in Pittsburg, on the 10th of April last. I 
not only witnessed, but felt deeply, the disastrous 
consequences of that fire, in the loss of nearly all of 
my property. 
11 



82 THE PROBE. 

It commenced about half-past twelve — noon. It was 
communicated to an ice house, from a fire built in the 
yard of a frame building, at the south east corner of 
Second and Ferry streets, for the purpose of heating 
wash water. The engines were on the ground prompt- 
ly, and manned by as noble companies of firemen as 
can be found in any city ; but a deficiency of water 
deprived them of the mastery over the raging element, 
which would have been achieved in a few minutes, 
could a supply have been obtained. The buildings in 
the immediate neighborhood were mostly frame — very 
dry and combustible. The fire soon crossed Second 
street— communicated to the cotton manufactory of 
James Woods, which, in a few minutes, was enveloped 
in flames, with all the stock and machinery. A des- 
perate effort was made by the firemen to arrest the fire 
at the brick house adjoining this large building; but all 
human effort was powerless — the flames increased with 
the increasing wind, which now became a hurricane, 
blowing from the south west, and carried the fire to 
the roofs of numerous buildings in a few minutes. A 
dense mass of human beings now thronged the streets 
and avenues in the neighborhood of the fire — the 
roofs were covered with men and women, faithfully 
plying water from buckets, to extinguish the falling 
fire; but the course of the raging element was onward. 
It soon reached Water street — spread furiously to-Mar- 
ket street, widening in its course, until it reached Wood 
street, where it extended in width, from the Mononga- 
hela river to Diamond alley, acquiring an intensity of 
heat without a parallel. Fire-proof buildings, as they 
were supposed to be; fire-proof iron safes, as they 
were denominated, proved utterly inadequate to de- 



FIRES. 83 

fend against the accumulating heat. Efforts to re- 
move goods were rendered almost powerless by the 
crowded state of the streets, and many who succeeded 
in removing their effects, placed them in the road of 
the fire. Some, who removed their goods three times, 
had them finally burnt ; and many who were assist- 
ing their friends in the lower part, returned to the 
burning remains of their own houses in the upper 
part of the city, so rapidly did the fire progress after 
it reached. Wood street. At this point, it threatened 
the steamboats, which were moved out into the river ; 
the Monongahela bridge immediately took fire, on which 
large quantities of goods had been deposited, and in ten 
minutes and a half from the time it caught, every arch 
fell into the river, creating a smoke and steam, almost 
suffocating to those who were near it. The wind then 
changed to the west, and drove the flames, in one 
broad, unbroken sheet, horizontally, so as to fire almost 
every thing in its course up the Monongahela river, 
until the work of destruction ceased for want of fuel, 
having reached the terminus of Kensington, a suburb 
of the city ; covering nearly sixty acres, in its destruc- 
tive course. By the force of the heat, the fire was 
gradually spreading sideways towards the north, when 
the wind suddenly changed to that point, and drove the 
heat towards the river, and prevented farther damage, 
The public buildings destroyed, were : Philo Hall, oc- 
cupied by the Mayor and City Police, Board of Trade, 
and Philological Institute ; the Bank of Pittsburg, sup- 
posed to be fire proof; Union Meeting House ; Baptist 
Meeting House ; Methodist Meeting House, for colored 
ed people ; Western University ; Scotch Hill Market 
House, and injuring the Gas Works considerably. The 



84 THE PROBE. 

Monongahela House, Merchants', American, and many 
smaller hotels, were consumed — the first named being 
covered with a metal roof. Individual losses were, in 
some instances, as high as two hundred thousand dol- 
lars. 

From the best information I can obtain, there were 
about eleven hundred buildings destroyed, about five 
millions dollars worth of property consumed, and near 
sixty acres of ground burnt over, nearly two-thirds of 
which has since been built upon ; and, in most instances, 
the buildings are better than those that were destroyed. 
The greater portion of the damage was done from two 
to five o'clock. No language can fully describe the 
scene that passed during those three hours. I was just 
recovering from a protracted illness, and unable to 
work ; but was calm and collected, except for a few 
moments, when I had reason to fear my wife had per- 
ished in the flames. The exhibition of human nature, 
under the fiery ordeal, was various — in some instances, 
painful to behold — in others, such as to induce a smile 
in the midst of despair. Almost every moment, some 
one would be carried by where I sat, who was sick, 
had fainted, or had been injured. Some stood, serene 
as a summer morning; others shed floods of tears; 
others screamed, whilst the hyena and jackal] thieves 
were freely and industriously helping themselves to 
goods that had been saved from the fire. The roar of 
the conflagration, and the consternation of the multi- 
tude, forced upon my imagination that more awful 

me — the last and terrible day of the Lord, when the 
elements shall melt with fervent heat. 

I observed some throwing looking glasses and crock- 
< . . from the upper stories into the streets, to save them ; 



FIRES. 85 

many crying for help, too much agitated to help them- 
selves. One gentleman, hearing a lady crying bitterly, 
wringing her hands in agony, went to her aid — when 
she exclaimed, " Do save my Mary in the second 
story !" He rushed through the flames for her child, 
as he supposed, when lo ! her Mary proved to be a pet 
cat ! The lady had displayed her tenderness for puss, 
and the gentleman his courage, gallantry, and humanity. 
He kicked the cat and cursed its mistress, and did not 
again risk his life for any of the feline ladies. A volume 
might be written, relating hair-breadth escapes; feats 
of courage and of folly ; presence of mind, and the 
reverse, which would interest the reader ; but which 
would too much encumber this book. 

It is remarkable, and should inflame our hearts with 
gratitude, that no more lives were lost. But eleven 
are known to have perished in the flames. The time 
of day and time of year, were evident and striking 
tokens of mercy, mingled with this awful calamity. — 
Had it occurred at the same hour of night, thousands, 
especially children, must have perished; and had it 
been in the midst of a severe winter, the amount of 
suffering would have been incalculable. 

With the magnificent donations that were promptly 
forwarded, and the energy of the inhabitants, all bent 
on amassing wealth, the effects of the fire have measur- 
ably passed off"; and many are in better circumstances 
than they were before they were burnt out. 

H 



86 THE PROBE. 



FLATTERY. 

Here is my throne, my kingdom is this breast, 
My diadem, the wealth of light that shines, 
From your fair brow upon me. — Milman. 

Men or women who make a throne of vanity, a 
kingdom of self, and feast on the volatile breath of 
sycophants ; are like a balloon, nothing will inflate 
them and cause them to rise, but the gas of flattery ; 
any thing solid operates upon them with a centripetal 
force. When inflated, the more ignorant sometimes 
seem to feel as important as the Khan of Tartary, 
who is houseless, yet, when he has finished his repast 
of mare's milk and horse flesh, causes a herald to pro- 
claim from his seat, that the other potentates of the 
world have permission to eat their dinner. Those who 
feast on flattery are to be pitied ; those who flatter, 
should be despised. The one, by proper discipline, 
may have the unfortunate propensity corrected, per- 
haps cured; the other is the indulgence of a base dis- 
position to accomplish unhallowed purposes. The 
person who flatters, only to betray; is meaner than 
badly kept October saucr kraut, alias, sour krout, the 
next July ; and worse than a cut worm in a corn field. 
To love flattery, is weakness ; it is nauseating as an 
emetic, to the truly wise. To flatter, betrays a small 
mind, or the stooping of a great mind to accomplish a 
dishonorable purpose; perhaps to gratify a hellish 
passion. Flatterers, like the bee, carry honey and a 
sting at the same time; but, unlike that insect, they 
poison the flowers on which they light. They often 
possess the cunning of the fox, and always his mean- 



FRIENDSHIP. 87 

ness. They have only to be known to be despised, 
they have only to be talked with to be known ; and 
when known and despised, are shunned, and often 
change their course, and become the vilest slanderers ; 
the jackalls and hyenas of society. Let those who are 
easily intoxicated and inflated by flattery, sign the 
pledge of wisdom, and live up to it ; and those who 
have been the manufacturers and retailers, take the 
same pledge, religiously observe it, and pursue some 
nobler employment. They will then better fulfil the 
design of their creation, induce self respect, and secure 
the esteem of those around them. 



FRIENDSHIP. 

Friendship, like love, is but a name. 
Unless to one you stint the flame. 

those who depend 

On many, seldom find a friend. — Gay. 

Pure, disinterested friendship, is a bright flame, 
emitting none of the smoke of selfishness, and seldom 
deigns to tabernacle among men. Its origin is divine, 
its operations heavenly, and its results enrapturing to 
the soul. It is because it is the perfection of earthly 
bliss, that the world has ever been flooded with base 
counterfeits, many so thickly coated with the pure 
metal, that nothing but time can detect the base inte- 
rior and ulterior designs of bogus friends. Deception 
is a propensity deeply rooted in human nature, and the 
hobby horse on which some ride through life. The 
heart is deceitful above all things, who can know it°7 
Judas betrayed the Lord of glory with a kiss, and his 
vile example has been most scrupulously followed ever 



u 



OO THE PROBE. 

since. Thousands have had their property, reputa- 
tion, and lives sacrificed, under the hissing sound of a 
Judas kiss. 

Caution has been termed the parent of safety, but 
has often been baffled by a Judas kiss. The most 
cautious have been the dupes and victims of the basest 
deceivers. We should be extremely careful who we 
confide in, and then w T e will often find ourselves mis- 
taken. Let adversity come, then we may know more 
of our friends. Nine hundred and ninety-nine out of 
a thousand, will probably show that they were sunshine 
friends, and will escape as for their lives, like rats from 
a barn in flames ! Ten to one, those who have en- 
joyed the most sunshine, will be the first to forsake, 
censure, and reproach. Friendship, Abased entirely on 
self, ends in desertion, the moment the selfish ends are 
accomplished, or frustrated. 

In forming friendships, let the following cautions be 
observed, as general land-marks. Beware of the flat- 
terer, who takes special care to refer to your beauty, 
talents, wealth, influence, power, or piety. Beware of 
those whose tongues are smooth as oil, they are often 
as drawn swords. Beware of those whose bewitching 
smiles arc enchantment ; like the wily serpent, charm- 
ing the bird, they may contemplate your ruin. Beware 
of those who are fond of communicating secrets ; they 
expect to obtain yours by reciprocity, and will employ 
some others to help keep them. Beware of fretful dis- 
putatious persons; of the envious, the jealous, the 
proud, and the vicious. 

Beware of the fickle and unstable who are ever 
perched on the pivot of uncertainty. Beware of the 
man who invites you to participate in what are styled 



GAMBLING. 89 

" innocent amusements," which often lead to the broad 
road of ruin. Beware of the man who despises the old 
fashioned customs of frugality and economy — they are 
the basis of earthly prosperity. Beware of the man 
who suddenly commences shaking hands with those he 
had before considered below him. He has an office in 
his eye and wants your vote, but is unworthy of it. In 
the choice and in the preservation of friends, ever re- 
member that caution is requisite at all times, and un- 
der all circumstances. 

Finally, beware of all those who do not respect the 
Bible and the Christian religion, the firmest basis on 
which the superstructure of friendship can be erected. 



GAMBLING. 

The gathering number, as it moves along, 
Involves a vast, accumulating throng, 
Who, gently drawn, soon struggle less and less — 
Roll in this vortex and its power confess. — Pope. 

Every device that suddenly changes money or pro- 
perty from one person to another without a quid pro 
quo, or leaving an equivalent, produces individual em- 
barrassment — often extreme misery. More pernicious 
is that plan, if it changes property and money from the 
hands of the many to the few. 

Gambling does this, and often inflicts a still greater 
injury, by poisoning its victims with vice, that eventu- 
ally lead to crimes of the darkest hue. Usually, the 
money basely filched from its victims, is the smallest 
part of the injury inflicted. It almost inevitably leads 
to intemperance. Every species of offence, on the black 
12 h2 



90 THE PROBE. 

catalogue of crime, may be traced to the gambling 
table, as the entering wedge to its perpetration. 

This alarming evil, is as wide spread as our country. 
It is practised from the humblest water craft that floats 
on our canals— up to the majestic steamboat on our 
mighty rivers ; from the lowest groggeries that curse 
the community, up to the most fashionable hotels that 
claim respectability— from the hod carrier in his be- 
spattered rags, up to the honorable members of con- 
gress in their ruffles. Like a mighty maelstrom, its 
motion, at the outside, is scarcely perceptible, but soon 
increases to a fearful velocity; suddenly the awful cen- 
tre is reached— the victim is lost in the vortex. In- 
terested friends may warn, the wife may entreat, with 
all the eloquence of tears ; children may cling and cry 
for bread— once in the fatal snare, the victim of gam- 
blers is seldom saved. He combines the deafness of 
the adder with the desperation of a maniac, and rushes 
on, regardless of danger— reckless of consequences. 

To°the fashionable of our country, who play cards 
and other games as an innocent amusement, we may 
trace the most aggravated injuries resulting from gam- 
bling. It is there that young men of talents, educa- 
tion? and wealth, take the degree of entered apprentice. 
The example of men in high life, men in public sta- 
tions and responsible offices, has a powerful and cor- 
rupting influence on society, and docs much to increase 
the evil, and forward, as well as sanction the high- 
handed robbery of fine dressed black legs. The gam- 
bling hells in our cities, tolerated and patronized, are 
a disgrace to any nation bearing a Christian name, 
and would be banished from a Pagan. community. 
Gambling assumes a great variety of forms, from the 



GAMBLING. 91 

flipping of a cent in the bar room for a glass of whiskey, 
up to the splendidly furnished faro bank room, where 
men are occasionally swindled to the tune of "ten thou- 
sand a year," and sometimes a much larger amount. In 
addition to these varieties, we have legalized lotteries 
and fancy stock brokers, and among those who manage 
them, professors of religion are not unfrequently found. 

Thousands, who carefully shun the monster under 
any other form, pay a willing tribute to the tyrant, at 
the shrine of lotteries. Persons from all classes, throw 
their money into this vault of uncertainty, this whirl- 
pool of speculation, with a less chance to regain it, 
than when at the detested faro bank. It is here that 
the poor man spends his last dollar — it is here that the 
rich often become poor, for a man has ten chances to 
be killed by lightning, where he has one to draw a 
capital prize. The ostensible objects of lotteries are 
always praiseworthy. Meeting houses, hospitals, semi- 
naries of learning, internal improvement, some laud- 
able enterprize, may always be found, first and fore- 
most, in a lottery scheme — the most ingenious and most 
fatal gull trap, ever invented by man or devil. 

Some, who are so fortunate as to escape all the 
gambling gins that have been referred to, get caught 
in the most refined, and not the least dangerous — the 
capstone of the climax — that makes awful sweeps 
among the upper ten thousand— Stock Gambling. 
This system is as pernicious in principle as the others 
— as dangerous to those few who have the means to 
sport in stocks, but, fortunately, the meshes of the net 
are so large, that the vast multitude of small fish are 
in no danger from this quarter. All the other seines 
will hold, even minnows. 



92 THE PROBE. 

Gaming covers in darkness, and often blots out all 
the nobler powers of the heart, paralyzes its sensibilities 
to human wo, severs the sacred ties that bind man to 
man, to woman, to family, to community, to morals, to 
religion, to social order, and to country. It transforms 
men to brutes, desperadoes, maniacs, misanthropists; 
and strips human nature of all its native dignity. The 
gamester forfeits the happiness of this life, and endures 
the penalties of sin in both worlds. His profession is 
the scavenger of avarice, haggard and filthy, badly 
fed, poorly clad, and worse paid. 

Let me entreat all to shun the monster, under all 
his borrowed and deceptive forms. Remember, that 
gambling for amusement, is the wicket gate into the 
labyrinth, and when once in, you may find it difficult 
to get out. Ruin is marked, in blazing capitals, over 
the door of the gambler — his hell is the vestibule to 
that eternal hell, where the worm dieth not, and the 
fire is not quenched. If you regard your own, and the 
happiness of your family and friends, and the salvation 
of your immortal soul, recoil from even the shadow of 
a shade, reflected by this heaven-daring, heart-break- 
ing, soul-destroying, fashionable, but ruinous vice. 



GENIUS. 
The man who can analyze Genius, and, as a chem- 
ist, in his laboratory, show, to a demonstration, its 
component parts, or, to speak comparatively, even 
penetrate its cuticle, or detect its oxygen, may next 
analyze the wind, put the thunder-cloud in his breeches 
pocket, and cjuafF lightning for a beverage. We may 
think, see, talk, and write upon the triumphant achieve- 



GENIUS. 93 

merits, the magic wonders, and untiring efforts of Ge- 
nius ; but what is Genius ? that's the question — one 
that none but pedants will attempt to answer. The 
thing, the moving cause, and the modus operandi, can 
no more be comprehended, and reduced to materiality, 
than the spirit that animates our bodies. Metaphysi- 
cians, Craniologists, and Physiologists; may put on 
their robes of mystery, arm each eye with a micros- 
cope, each finger with the acutest phrenological sensi- 
bility, and whet up all their mental powers to a razor 
edge, strain their imagination to its utmost tension, 
tax speculation one hundred per cent., and then call to 
their aid men who possess this quality, the combined 
force could not weave a web, and label it Genius, that 
would not be an insult to common sense. Genius is 
not only mental power, but its essence. The frosts of 
Iceland cannot freeze it, the fogs of Holland cannot 
mildew it, the tropical sun cannot paralyze it, the po- 
tentates of the earth cannot crush it — in all countries 
and climes, it springs up spontaneously in various 
shades, but flourishes most luxuriantly, and with more 
beautiful symmetry and strength, when nurtured by 
intelligence and freedom, amidst the social institutions 
of a Republican form of government, and, next to that, 
under a limited monarchy. A single glance at the 
history of American and English Genius, compared 
with others of modern times, will convince an unbiassed 
mind, of the truth of this assertion. At one period, 
Genius exerted its greatest force to promote the science 
of letters, and revelled in classic lore. Latterly, it has 
put forth its noblest powers upon the mechanic arts, 
seized some of the mightiest elements of nature, and 
made them subservient to man. Mechanical Genius 



94 THE PROBE. 

has reduced time, distance, and weight ; in a ratio, that 
has eclipsed the most visionary projects of its most 
zealous friends, that were the subject of ridicule not 
many years ago. The broad ocean, the mighty river, 
the wide-spread lake, the towering mountain ; once 
formidable barriers to intercourse, are now rapidly 
passed by the aid of steam, consolidating our own 
country into a phalanx, and making the nations of the 
old world our neighbors. To what useful purposes the 
electric fluid, the atmosphere, the wind, and other ele- 
ments will yet be converted by Genius ; time only can 
develope. So versatile is this essence of mental power, 
that we can form no rules to pre-determine or fix its 
personal locality, its time of development, its measure 
of strength, or the extent of its orbit. Like a blazing 
meteor, it bursts suddenly upon us, as in the darkness 
of night, illuminates the world, and, like the lightning 
thunder-bolt, shivers every obstacle that stands in its 
way. Like the diamond, which differs from all other 
precious stones, by having the power of refracting and 
reflecting the prismatic colors ; so Genius refracts and 
reflects the intellectual rays of mind, imparting fresh 
vigor, lustre, and force. The diamond can never shine, 
until divested of the rubbish of the quarry, by the hand 
of the lapidary. In the same manner, Genius must' be 
divested of ignorance, before it can refract and reflect 
its rays, and the brighter it is polished by intelligence, 
the more powerfully and brilliantly will it dazzle. How 
important, then, that the quarry of mind be explored, 
that none of these precious jewels lie undiscovered in 
time of life, and be finally lost in death. Lacon has 
well observed — " A Newton or a Shakespeare, born 
among savages — savages had died." 



GOVERNMENT. 95 



GOVERNMENT. 

Virtue affords the only safe foundation for a peace- 
ful, happy, and prosperous government. When the 
wicked rule, the nation mourns. Not that rulers must 
necessarily profess religion, by being members of 
some Christian church, as desirable as it may be, but 
they must venerate it, and be men of pure moral and 
political honesty. Disease and corruption affect the 
body politic, and produce pain and dissolution, with the 
same certainty, that they prostrate the physical powers 
of man. If the head is disordered, the whole heart is 
sick. If the political fountain becomes polluted, its 
dark and murky waters will eventually impregnate 
every branch with the contagious miasma. The his- 
tory of the past proves the truth of these assertions — 
passing events afford too frequent demonstration of 
the baneful effects of intrigue and peculation. With- 
out virtue, our Union will become a mere rope of 
sand — the victim of knaves and the sport of kings — 
self government will become an enigma with monarchs, 
rational liberty a paradox, and a republic, the scoff of 
tyrants. Let every freeman look to this matter in time 
The crowned heads of Europe are watching, with ai 
Argus-eye, every opportunity to weaken our Union. 
Every year of our prosperous existence endangers 
their power — the story of our liberty is reaching .and 
enrapturing their subjects — the tenure by which they 
hold their crowns, is becoming more frail as time rolls 
onward; and, if we are true to ourselves — if virtue 
predominates — if the voi«e of wisdom is obeyed — if 
patriotism, discretion, and honesty, guide our rulers — 



96 THE PROBE. 

our government will increase in strength, beauty, and 
grandeur; and eclipse Greek and Roman fame. 

By our example, we will conquer the world, more 
effectually, and by far more gloriously, than Alexander 
did with the sword — by regenerating the minds of the 
millions upon its surface. But we must practice upon 
the principle, that eternal vigilance is the price of 
liberty. We are more* in danger from internal foes, 
than from foreign enemies. If we would be truly great, 
we must be truly good. Virtue, wisdom, prudence, 
patriotism, and sterling integrity; must actuate, guide, 
and fully control our leaders, and the great mass of 
our increasing population. The towering waves of 
political intrigue and demagogue influence must be 
rolled back, and the purity of motive and love of coun- 
try, that impelled the sages and heroes of '76, to noble 
and God-like action, must pervade the hearts of our 
rulers, and the people of our nation. 



GRATITUDE. 

To generous minds, 
The heaviest debt is that of gratitude, 
When 'tis not in our power to repay it. — Franklin. 

Gratitude is a painful pleasure, felt, and expressed 
by none but noble souls. Such are pained, because 
misfortune places them under the stern necessity of 
receiving favors from the benevolent, who are, as the 
world would say, under no obligation to bestow them — 
free-will offerings, made by generous hearts, to smooth 
the rough path, and wipe away the tears of a fellow 
being. They derive a pleasure from the enjoyment of 



GRATITUDE. 97 

the benefits bestowed, which is rendered more exqui- 
site, by the reflection, that there are those in the world, 
who can feel and appreciate the woes of others, and 
lend a willing hand to help them out of the ditch — 
those who are not wrapped up in the cocoon of selfish 
avarice, who live only for themselves, and die for the 
devil. This pleasure is farther refined, by a knowledge 
of the happiness enjoyed by the person whose benevo- 
lence dictated the relief, in the contemplation of a duty 
performed, imposed by angelic philanthropy, guided 
by motives, pure as heaven. The worthy recipient 
feels deeply the obligations under which he is placed — 
no time can obliterate them from his memory, no 
Statute of Limitation bars the payment; the moment 
means and opportunity are within his power, the debt 
is joyfully liquidated, and this very act gives a fresh 
vigor to his long-cherished gratitude. 

Nothing tenders the heart, and opens the gushing 
fountain of love, more than the exercise of gratitude. 
Like the showers of spring, that cause flowers to rise 
from seeds that have long lain dormant, tears of grati- 
tude awaken pleasurable sensations, unknown to those 
who have never been forced from the sunshine of pros- 
perity, into the cold shade of adversity, where no 
warmth is felt, but that of benevolence — no light 
enjoyed, but that of charity; unless it shall be the 
warmth and light communicated from Heaven to the 
sincerely pious, who alone are prepared to meet, with 
calm submission, the keen and chilling winds of mis- 
fortune, and who, above all others, exercise the virtue 
of gratitude, in the full perfection of its native beauty. 



13 



98 THE PROBE. 



HAPPINESS. 

The spider's most attenuated thread 

Is cord — is cable, to man's tender tie 

On earthly bliss — it breaks at every breeze. — Young. 

The enjoyment of earthly happiness depends much 
upon disposition, taste, fancy, and imagination. These 
are fickle, changeable as the chamelion, and often play 
truant. Of course, it is not surprising to frequently 
find the helm of sublunary happiness unshipped, her 
masts sprung, her anchor dragging, or cable parted, 
her sails rent and shivering in the wind, her hull water- 
logged, signals of distress out, or her flag at half mast, 
and sometimes an adverse breeze throws her on her 
beams end. Her compass, as the red men say of the 
white, is mighty uncertain, her officers and crew are 
more uncertain still. 

It is not the want of means to be happy, that pro- 
duces the great amount of unhappiness in the world. 
Keen misery may be oftener found in the abodes of 
wealth, than among the peasantry, or even serfs. 
Earthly happiness has been appropriately compared to 
the manna of the Israelites. He that gathered much 
had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no 
lack. It is the result of wisdom, rational design, rea- 
sonable desires, and prudent enjoyment. But taste, 
fancy, and imagination ; discard these cardinal points, 
and fly from them like a tangent line from a radius; 
and as surely produce misery, as fire burns gunpowder; 
often producing a ruinous explosion. Artificial and 
imaginary wants, are as much more numerous than 
real wants; as shin plasters, a few years ago, were 



HEART. 99 

more plentiful than gold eagles ; and are of about the 
same relative value. Disappointment is a harsh old 
fellow, the sworn enemy of earthly enjoyment, and 
stands at the threshold of imaginary wants with his cat- 
o'-nine tails, and lashes most of those who attain them, 
and prevents their entrance into the sanctum sanctorum 
of happiness. Where one enjoys the pleasure antici- 
pated, on the attainment of an object, not indispensably 
necessary to promote earthly comfort; ninety-nine are 
so excoriated by disappointment, that they writhe in 
agony, like a man with the gout. An immortal spirit, 
if compelled to seek happiness in things earthly alone, 
is prone to be driven, with centrifugal force, farther 
and farther from it. To enjoy happiness in this life, 
in its greatest purity, we must live in constant prepa- 
ration to enter upon it in " that country, from whose 
bourne no traveller returns." The great secret of 
substantial happiness, consists in contentment, and a 
constant communion with God, and a full reliance on 
him at all times. 



THE HEART. 

They little know 
Man's heart, and the intenseness of its passions, 
Who judge from outward symbols; lightest griefs 
Are easiest diseern'd, as shallow brooks 
Show every pebble in their troubPd currents, 
While deeper streams flow smooth as glass above 
Might'est impediments, and yield no trace 
Of what is beneath them. — Neale. 

The physical heart is the great reservoir, from 
which flow the numerous life streams that support our 



100 THE PROBE. 

body. Anatomists suppose each ventricle of the heart 
to contain from one and a half to two ounces of blood, 
and that the heart pulsates over four thousand times in 
an hour, passing over four hundred pounds of blood 
every sixty minutes. Twenty-eight pounds of blood is 
supposed to be the quantity in a common-sized person, 
which passes from and to the heart, from fifteen to 
twenty times each hour, with a regularity and velocity, 
of which we can form no full conception. 

Dr. Paley has remarked, "The heart is so complex 
in its mechanism, so delicate in many of its parts, as 
seemingly to be little durable, and always liable to de- 
rangement — yet may this wonderful machine go, night 
and day, for eighty years together, at the rate of one 
hundred thousand strokes every twenty-four hours, 
having, at every stroke, a great* resistance to over- 
come, and may continue this action this length of time, 
without disorder, and without weariness." 

But my business is more particularly with the im- 
material, or moral heart. With reference to the in- 
cumbents of this kind of hearts, we have three kinds 
of men in community — those with good hearts, those 
with bad ones, and those without hearts. With all the 
multifarious machinery of the physical heart, its intri- 
cacies bear no comparison with those of the moral 
heart, which has been declared by Holy Writ, to be 
desperately wicked, with the significant question — who 
can know it? a question worthy of serious considera- 
tion — yet fearfully neglected. The examination of our 
own hearts is a repulsive task, and seldom attended to, 
and more seldom, thoroughly. But few men know their 

* Thirteen pounds. — Carpenter. 



HEART. 101 

own powers of mind, and their natural propensities, 
until they are brought into full action. Here is the 
solution of the problem, why some particular eras have 
produced greater men than others. It was the occa- 
sion, not the difference in native mental powers. Great 
occasions ever have, and ever will produce great men. 
The American revolution developed a blaze of talent 
that illuminated the world, which, but for such an oc- 
casion, would have passed unobserved by the incum- 
bents, and those around them. 

More especially are we unwilling to discover and 
correct the bad qualities of our hearts. If the heart . 
has yielded to the control of the gross passions, we are 
too apt to permit them to run riot, and lead the whole 
man astray. Instead of keeping it with ail diligence, 
and putting it under proper discipline by self examina- 
tion and correction, we are too prone to be more 
ignorant of this fountain of action, than of any thing 
else, in or around us. This is radically wrong, and 
often ruinous. Know thyself, O man ! 

The heart is the seat of all that adorns our race, as 
well as of all that deforms it. We are enraptured 
to meet a man with an open, bold, noble, and generous 
heart ; full of the milk of human kindness, natural af- 
fection, beaming in his face and exhibited in his actions. 
We are pained to meet one, with his heart overflowing 
with wickedness and vice, a brute in human form. Still 
more are we pained to meet a man who is heartless, 
wrapped up in self, no feeling for the pleasures or woes 
of his fellow men, a snail in embryo, ossified by mean- 
ness. Their own hearts many will not know, the 
hearts of others we cannot know, although some igno- 
ramuses have assumed the high prerogative of judging 

i2 



102 THE PROBE. 

them. Even actions are no sure criterion, unless we 
can know all the circumstances that prompted them. 
In judging from actions, men will vary in their opinions, 
as physiologists have in the action of the material 
heart. The resistance to be overcome by each pulsa- 
tion of the heart, in forcing the blood from the ventricle 
into the aorta, has been estimated by different authors, 
from five ounces,* to one hundred and eighty thousand 
pounds ;t a fair illustration of the random verdicts, 
passed by some persons on others. 

If all will recollect, that every tub stands on its own 
bottom, that each man and woman is individually ac- 
countable to God for the action of the moral heart, and 
look into their own hearts, and weed out their own 
foul gardens ; it will enhance individual and public hap- 
piness. For overt transgressions of the laws of social 
order, we are amenable to earthly tribunals — the 
moral heart they can never penetrate or scan. Man 
may bleed its sensibility, open the gushing fountains of 
its grief, rouse its latent powers to a foaming fury, dry 
up its milk of human kindness by base ingratitude ; but 
into its sanctum sanctorum he can never enter — the 
great Jehovah only has full access there. If our hearts 
are right with him, if we have fully, freely, and unre- 
servedly surrendered them to him, all will be well ; we 
need not fear what man can do to our bodies — but if 
they are not right with him, dreadful will be our doom. 

* Keill. t Borelli. 



HONESTY 1 03 

HONESTY. 

An honest man is the noblest work of God. — Pope. 

The standard of honesty, here raised by the poet, 
would not answer for the mass of the present genera- 
tion. He included purpose, word, and action; in all 
things, under all circumstances, and at all times. The 
purity of his honest man must raise him above every 
temptation, and enable him to obey strictly, to the 
letter, the laws of integrity, that come from the clean 
hands of the great Jehovah — a man, whose every mo- 
tive and action will pass the scrutiny of Omniscience, 
unscathed and approved. Such a man would not con- 
vert the newspaper, or umbrella of another, to his own 
use. Where is the man who dares claim this standard 
as one of his adoption, reasonable and just as it is ? If 
any, let him throw the first stone, but let him see well 
that it does not rebound, and break his own head. Sec 
him dodge. 

The adage, Honesty is the best policy, is the essential 
oil of dishonesty in disguise. The man who is honest 
only from policy, and not for the sake of the virtue of 
honesty, is so only from selfish interest, the essence of 
meanness. He is more dangerous than the open 
knave — for the moment he thinks his interest can be 
enhanced by dishonesty, he will Swartwout. We have 
too much policy in morals and religion. It is cunning 
without wisdom, cowardice with hypocrisy, fear of 
man, not of God. The devil preaches religion from 
policy, and the man who is honest only from policy, is 
like him. I admire the story of the crazy woman. 



104 THE PROBE. 

Confucius, the great Chinese philosopher, met an 
insane woman, with a pitcher of water and faggot of 
fire, and asked how she intended to use them. She 
replied, " With the fire I will burn up heaven — with 
the water put out hell. We shall then know who are 
good for the sake of goodness." 

The possession of the principle of honesty, is a mat- 
ter known most intimately, to the man and his God, 
and fully, only to the latter. No man knows the ex- 
tent and strength of his own honesty, until he has 
passed the fiery ordeal of temptation. Men who 
shudder at the dishonesty of others, at one time in life, 
then sailing before the favorable wind of prosperity, 
when adversity overtakes them, their honesty too often 
dies away, on the same wings with their riches ; and, 
w 7 hat they once viewed with holy horror, they now prac- 
tise with shameless impunity. Others, at the com- 
mencement of a prosperous career, are quite above 
any tricks in trade, but their love of money increases 
with their wealth, their honesty relaxes, they become 
hard honest men, then hardly honest, and are, finally, 
confirmed in dishonesty. 

On the great day of account, it will be found, that 
men have erred more in judging of the honesty of 
others, than in any one thing else; not even religion 
excepted. Many who have been condemned, and had 
the stigma of dishonesty fixed upon them, because mis- 
fortune disabled them from paying their just debts; 
will stand acquitted by the Judge of quick and dead, 
whilst others cover dishonest hearts and actions, un- 
detected by man. 

Self interest blinds charity, circumstances are viewed 
with the eyes of prejudice, and not by them closely 



HONOR. 105 

scanned — the cry of mad dog is raised, and in this 
way, many an honest man has been victimized, who 
might and should have been saved for future useful- 
ness. The confirmed knave is soon well known, and 
no man should be unconditionally condemned, until he 
proves himself to be clearly dishonest, and shows a 
disposition to remain so. To err is one thing — to be 
dishonest at the core, is a very different thing. Charity, 
kindness, and forbearance ; would have saved many a 
man, who has been driven to desperation and ruin, by 
a contrary course. With a blush, I write it, this course 
is sometimes most inhumanly pursued in churches, 
against a member who becomes unable to pay another 
member in the same church. I have known instances 
of this kind, that would disgrace a savage, and forfeit 
his casie. Charity and forgiveness are paralyzed by 
cold-hearted selfishness, and the victim is sacrificed in 
the house of his professed friends. 



HONOR. 

An attempt to define this term, to meet the views of 
all, would place the writer in the same dilemma with 
the man who set out to please every body, and suc- 
ceeded in gaining his own displeasure, and that of every 
one he met ; or he would fare like the man, who alter- 
nately drove, led, rode, and carried his ass ; at the sug- 
gestion of different persons, and was upbraided by some 
one, as often as he made a change. The honor awarded 
4 ;o a good man, by the great Jehovah, is pure and unalloy- 
ed. The different kinds, so called by men of the world, 
like the coin in circulation, range from the legal alloy, 
14 



106 THE PROBE. 

down to the basest counterfeit ; current only among the 
ignorant, and bogus men. Each caste has its code of 
honor. A member of congress may shoot a fellow 
member — be lauded by his constituents for the act, and 
be reelected as a mark of honor and continued confi- 
dence — the man in humble life mioht be hun^ for a 
similar act. The one may indulge in all the dissipation 
that contaminates the seat of government, and still be 

called, The Hon. Mr. , whilst the man in low life, 

decoyed from the path of duty and rectitude, by some 
rum-selling shark, a man killer and soul destroyer, 
would be arraigned before an alderman, and fined for 
getting drunk, for profane swearing, and imprisoned, 
if he was unable to pay the penalty. A public function- 
ary may rob the treasury of thousands, and be treated 
as an honorable man by multitudes, whilst the man who 
unlawfully takes a loaf of bread to prevent starvation, 
or an old garment to keep him from freezing ; is hunted 
by the officers of police, like a sheep-killing dog ; and, 
at an expense of fifty or a hundred dollars to the city or 
county, is punished for this offence, and disgraced in 
view of every one. 

Thieves, pickpockets, blacklegs, pirates, and such 
like kindred spirits ; all have their code of honor, and 
most punctiliously observe it. 

The aristocracy may violate all the rules of morality, 
not inscribed on the calendar of crime, and receive the 
adulation of those of their own kidney, and all those 
who bow obsequiously to a man who has, or appears 
to have wealth, measuring honor and reputation by dol- 
lars and cents — a standard adopted by large numbers 
in this republican land, and by more in the European 
world. The honor connected with fame, in the ranks 



HONOR. 107 

of the upper ten thousand, is that most talked about, 
sought after, coveted, and envied — the fame of the hero, 
the statesman, the jurist, the politician, the philosopher, 
and the literati. This kind of honor, like our gold coin, 
made under the law, is nearest the Simon Pure, and, 
like that, is small in quantity, compared with the man- 
ufactured, soulless paper of our country, and as hard 
to be obtained. 

Fame, like an undertaker, pays more attention to 
the dead, than the living. The purest earthly honor, 
in its brightest aspect, is precarious, effervescent, fleet- 
ing. It builds its superstructure on public opinion, the 
quick sand of human nature, and as changeable as the 
wind. It often erects a splendid mansion for the aspi- 
rant, then pulls it down, and, from the same materials, 
builds his tomb. It cannot withstand the storms of 
life, it is a mere feather before the wind. Earthly 
Hope is its banker, but seldom has any funds with 
which to meet the draughts of honor. Brutus mis- 
took it for virtue, and adored it, but when the storm 
came, found it to be a deceptive shadow. Let us 
cease, then, to depend on sublunary fame and honor 
for happiness, but seek the enduring joys, that flow, 
without alloy, from that fountain, that is opened in the 
house of King David — a fountain that will wash out 
every stain, purify all our enjoyments, and make us 
happy as angels are. 



108 



THE PROBE, 



HOPE 



Why is a wish far dearer than a crown ? 

That wish accomplished, why the grave of bliss 

Because, in the great future buried deep, 

Beyond our plans of empire and renown, 

Lies all that man with ardor should pursue, 

And He who made him, bent him to the right. — Young. 

Earthly Hope, like fear, and sleep, is confined to 
this dim spot, on which we live, move, and have our 
being. It is excluded from heaven and hell. It is 
a dashing blade, with a great estate in expectancy, 
which, when put in its possession, produces instant 
death. It draws large drafts on Experience, payable 
in futuro, and is seldom able to liquidate them. Hope 
is always buoyant, and, like old Virginia, never tires. 
It answers well for breakfast, but makes a bad supper. 
Like a balloon, we know where it starts from, but can 
make no calculation when, where, and how, it will land 
as. Hope is a great calculator, but a bad mathemati- 
cian. Its problems are seldom based on true data — 
their demonstration is oftener fictitious than otherwise. 
Without the baseness of some modern land speculators, 
it builds cities and towns on paper, that are as worth- 
less as their mountain peaks and impassable quagmires. 
It suspends earth in the air, and plays with bubbles, 
like a child, with his tube and soap siuls. As with Milo, 
who attempted to split an oak, and was caught in the 
split and killed ; the wedge often flies out, and the ope- 
rator is caught in a split stick. It is bold as Caesar, 
and ever ready to atlempt great feats, if it should be to 
storm the castle of Despair. It is like the unlettered 



IDLENESS. 109 

rustic, who was asked if he could read Greek, he re- 
plied, with perfect sang froid, " I cannot tell, I never 
tried." Hope tries every thing, and stops at nothing. 
This is earthly Hope — a paradox — being strictly hon- 
est — yet the essence of deception. 

But there is a Hope, that is an anchor to the soul, 
both sure and steadfast, that will steady our frail bark, 
while sailing over the ocean of life, arid that will enable 
us to outride the storms of time — a Hope that reaches 
from earth to heaven. This Hope is based on faith in 
the immaculate Redeemer, and keeps our earthly hopes 
from running riot, into forbidden paths. The cable of 
this Hope cannot be sundered, until death cuts the gor- 
dian knot, and lets the prisoner go free. To live with- 
out it, is blind infatuation — to die without it — eternal 
uin. 



IDLENESS. 

Cares are employments, and without employ 
The soul is on a rack, the rack of rest. — Young. 

Idleness is criminal prodigality, because it wastes 
time- — it causes extra, unnecessary labor ; performing 
nothing at the proper time, and is the prolific author of 
want and shame — a confused workshop for the devil to 
tinker in. Creative wisdom designed man for virtuous 
action ; idleness violates this design, robs the creature 
of happiness here, and endangers — it may destroy it, in 
futurity. The Turks often repeat this proverb, The 
devil tempts all other men — the idle man tempts the devil, 
for the devil likes to see men in motion ; it is much 
easier to give a moving object any desired direction, 

K 



310 THE PROBE. 

than a dead stationary weight. The idle man is like 
a bed of unused compost — with the properties of en- 
riching the field, if properly spread over it ; the very 
ground on which it lies can produce no useful vegeta- 
tion, noxious weeds may spring out of it, and their 
seeds be scattered, to the injury of the surrounding 
wheat. While a man remains inert, torpid ; like an 
oyster in its shell, he commits no overt acts of evil 
or good, but his soul cannot rest quietly ; it naturally 
engenders vice, this ultimately rouses him to action, 
the devil puts him under whip and spur, to make up 
lost time, and, in many instances, the man who has 
paralyzed his moral powers by idleness, like a blind 
horse, works on the tread wheel better than a sound 
one. 

The physical powers of the idle man become ener- 
vated — he converts himself into a living sepulchre — 
loathsome to himself and all around him. I once saw 
a lazy man offered a half dollar, to buy food for his 
starving family. He begged the donor to put it in his 
pocket, as he disliked to move his hands. It was done, 
that he might maintain his reputation as the laziest 
man in the neighborhood — but this does not destroy 
the force of the illustration. 

Manual labor is the invigorator of body and mind — 
the promoter of health, and the friend of virtue. Among 
those who labor in the field, the workshop, and the 
commercial room ; we usually find health and happi- 
ness, and rarely crime. The idle poor populate our 
prisons — from the idle rich, this population would be 
increased, if they all had their deserts — but wickedness 
in high places is often winked at. The idle rich weave 
a web of misery for themselves ; bring up their children 



INCONSISTENCY. 1 1 1 

ignorant of business, and when they die, this web is 
often the only legacy left to their heirs — which fre 
quently proves a passport to infamy, the penitentiary, 
or the gallows. Let idleness be banished from our 
land — crime and misery would follow in its wake — 
virtue and happiness would receive a new impetus. 



INCONSISTENCY. 

A full account of the bold and successful career of 
this arch enemy of order and happiness, would involve 
the history of mankind, from that fatal hour, when the 
indelible stain of transgression was stamped upon the 
fair escutcheon of our first parents, to the present 
moment. It has exercised its baneful influence over 
the human family, in every age, country, and clime. 
It rose, like a phoenix from ashes, in the blooming 
bowers of Eden, and planted its standard, emblazoned 
with the insignia of curses, on the mournful ruins of 
Paradise. From there, it has waved, with maniac 
triumph, over millions of deluded mortals, and over the 
wreck of ruined nations. To rob man of the image 
of his God, and seduce him from the path of wisdom, 
has been its constant and successful aim. That it is 
still swaying its iron sceptre over the human race, is 
equally true. Nor will its exertions relax, until it shall 
be lost in the flood of millennial glory, that many sup- 
pose will ultimately burst upon the world. Its untiring 
course is onward, searching every avenue of mind, 
assailing every weakness of the heart. There are but 
few, if any, who have not sacrificed at its altar. It is 
the hot bed of human misery — the uncompromising foe 



112 THE PROBE. 

of reason, wisdom, discretion, and prudence. Its at- 
tendants are ignorance, superstition, bigotry, fanaticism, 
faction ; and the rank and file of all the evil passions. 

Its first shout of victory grated harshly through the 
air, when the forbidden fruit was severed from its 
parent stem. Angels heard the discordant sound, and 
wept. Justice recorded the sad catastrophe with an- 
guish. Mercy beheld, with an eye of pity, the fallen 
pair ; the incarnate God was moved with compassion, 
entered bail for the trembling culprits, and cancelled 
the crimson bond on the summit of Calvary. 

In the blood of Abel, Inconsistency saturated its 
floating banner, and, as time rolled on, the scarlet was 
more deeply imprinted. The old world was convulsed 
by its reckless power, and its fairest portions blighted 
by its Sirocco blasts. The streams of Europe, Asia, 
and Africa ; have been tinged with the purple current, 
drawn from the veins of millions, by the keen lancet 
of Inconsistency. The ancient and powerful kingdoms 
of the earth ; the hundred cities of Crete ; the splen- 
dours of Babylon ; the republics of Greece and Rome ; 
Carthage, with its seven hundred thousand inhabitants; 
Athens, with its forums and lyceums ; all fell beneath 
the ruthless hand of Inconsistency. 

Many of the philosophers, sages, orators, and poets, 
of the classic land ; many of the most prominent actors, 
who guided the destinies of the mistress of the world; 
a large majority of the sixty-four emperors ; most of 
the ambitious generals ; were sacrificed at the sanguin- 
ary shrine of Inconsistency. The great Pompey, the 
proud Tarquin, the conquering Alexander, the bloody 
Nero, the ambitious Csesar, and the exiled Bonaparte; 
all fell beneath the piercing arrows of Inconsistency. 



INCONSISTENCY. 113 

In our own time and country, this envenomed, hydra 
monster, is continuing its ravages, sweeping over our 
far famed Republic, like a Samiel wind over the desert 
of Sahara. 

In matters of religion, this disturber of harmony has 
interfered, and demolished the old land marks of one 
faith, one God, and one baptism. Charity, humility, 
peace, forbearance, forgiveness, and consistent piety ; 
were the marked characteristics of primitive Chris- 
tians. Now, these Christian graces are often shorn 
of their original beauty, by Inconsistency. 

In the days of the Apostles, no studied rhetoric was 
thrown about the story of redeeming love ; simple, un- 
adorned truth, enraptured the immortal mind, and 
poured upon it a flood of celestial light, that led thou- 
sands in a day, to embrace the religion of the cross. 
No splendid fixtures then adorned their places of wor- 
ship ; the manger was fresh in the memory of the dis- 
ciples of Jesus ; his rebukes of show and vain pride 
were not forgotten ; the golden calf of Fashion was not 
admitted in the church ; pure religion, unalloyed with 
conjecture and enigmatical construction, was incul- 
cated, with power and success. How changed the 
scene, how humiliating the conflicts of modern theology. 
Oh ! Inconsistency ! what evils hast thou not perpe- 
trated. 

Infidelity, in all its various shades, is a legitimate 
child of Inconsistency. The man who has read the 
Bible ; who understands the physiology of the world, 
the philosophy of mind, the minutiae of anatomy, the 
powers of reason, and the revolving circuit of his own 
soul ; and denies the existence of Him who spake, and 
it was done ; who commanded, and it stood fast ; dis- 
15 k2 



114 THE PROBE. 

robes himself of the noblest powers bestowed by cre- 
ative Wisdom, and sinks himself below the level of a 
brute. All things, from the leaf that vibrates in the 
breeze, to the etherial sky, spangled with stars ; pro- 
claim the existence of a God. Most assuredly, there 
is a Supreme Being, who rules, with unerring wisdom, 
in the kingdoms of Nature, Providence, and Grace. 
This position is most conducive to happiness in this 
life — the superstructure of the contrary, produces 
misery here ; if its foundation should prove false, a^d 
the other true, the infidel curses himself in this world, 
only to be damned in the next. Moral rectitude is the 
substratum of human felicity — infidelity, the destruction 
of social order. 

Vice, from the larceny of a pin, to the most daring 
burglary ; from the simple assault, to the most tragical 
homicide ; from the trifling " white " lie, to the basest 
perjury, are all spontaneous plants from the hot bed of 
Inconsistency. 

Are you in the habit of profane swearing ? This is 
a yarn in the web of this arch enemy, and lessens 
your worth in the estimation of all good society. It is 
without excuse, and, like shooting at the wind, is with- 
out object. 

Are you in the habit of lying and deceiving ? This 
is a prominent part of the warp, in the web of this fell 
destroyer, and will stamp you with lasting disgrace, 
unless you break the snare at once. 

Do you foster a disposition to appropriate small ar- 
ticles belonging to others to your own uses? If you 
indulge in taking newspapers, umbrellas, &c— you are 
worshipping at the shrine of Inconsistency, and, unless 
you break the spell, this propensity will increase, and 



INCONSISTENCY. 115 

may lead you to destruction. Break off this customary 
habit at once, and save your reputation from prema- 
ture death. 

Are you in the habit of intemperance ? This is one 
of the iron cages of Inconsistency, and, unless you burst 
the bars, and regain your freedom, you will be plunged 
headlong into the dark abyss of poverty and disgrace ; 
fill a drunkard's grave, and land your soul in a drunk- 
ard's hell. If you regard your present and eternal 
welfare, escape for your life 

Are you the keeper of a doggery ? You are the 
resurrection man of Inconsistency, and may be the fatal 
instrument of pushing your fellow men into hell. The 
day of retribution will come— the effluvia from your 
slaughter house reaches to heaven, and pollutes the 
air around you. Abandon your unholy traffic in deadly 
poison. 

Are you in the habit of gambling ? You are on the 
enchanted ground of Inconsistency, amidst deadly pit- 
falls — in a den, filled with adders and scorpions. You 
are on the confines of the castle of despair, within the 
centripetal motion of the whirlpool of destruction, and 
within the folding coils of the Boa Constrictor of ruin. 
Retrace your steps quickly, or you may be lost — irreco- 
verably lost for ever. Every moment you remain, is 
full of danger and big with consequences. You may 
inhale the magic gas, be "drugged," and your doom 
for ever sealed. The hearts of blacklegs are ossified 
with avarice, they would sport on their mother's coffin, 
for a half dime. 

Are you given to lewd company ? Theirs is the ban- 
quetting house of Inconsistency, where every draught is 
intoxicating poison, every viand, a hook full of barbs. 



116 THE PROBE. 

It is the repository of blighted reputation, the ab- 
sorber of connubial felicity; the quintessence of misery 
and wo. Retreat from it, as you would from the jun- 
gle of a tiger, or the lair of a lion. Your safety de 
pends on flight ; linger not a moment ; its chambers 
lead to the shades of death. Its allurements charm, to 
ruin ; its fascinations dazzle, to bewilder ; its inmates 
flatter, to destroy. Its atmosphere is more dangerous 
than the cholera ; its miasma, more deleterious than 
pestilence. 

Are you one of the numerous gangs of thieves, pick- 
pockets, counterfeiters, or forgers ; that infest our wide- 
spread country? These are the guerilla banditti of 
Inconsistency, and although you may be a silent part- 
ner, with an untarnished reputation in the sight of men, 
God sees you, and will bring you to judgment. The 
penitentiary or the gallows may yet be your portion. 
Every step you proceed in the association, is full of 
peril. The sword of justice is drawn, ready to cut you 
down. Dissolve the unhallowed union — return to the 
paths of rectitude ; resume the mantle of honesty ; and 
avoid the vials of wrath, already poised over your 
guilty head. 

Are you wandering in the labyrinth of ignorance, su- 
perstition and bigotry ? These are the beams of Incon- 
sistency, thrust into your eyes by this arch enemy, 
clouding your vision, enslaving your mind, deranging 
your senses, chilling your heart, darkening your soul, 
depriving you of the refined enjoyments of life ; and 
crippling your noblest powers. Come out from your 
isolated habitation of damps and fogS; open your mind 
to the genial rays of intelligence, reason, and charity; 
extricate yourself from the dark quarry of ignorance ; 



INCONSISTENCY. 117 

throw off the galling yoke of superstition ; banish cor- 
roding bigotry ; open your eyes to the light ; seize upon 
the pleasures of liberty ; and fulfil the design of your 
creation. Remain no longer amidst stagnant pools, 
and loathsome vapors, where serpents hiss and plagues 
devour ; you may then bathe in rivers of delight, and 
be free indeed. 

Are you under the influence of fanaticism ? This is 
the tornado of Inconsistency, charged with the besom 
of destruction, leaving in its dismal wake, oceans of 
blood, governments dissolved, and nations ruined. 

Are you an abettor or tolerator of faction ? This is the 
avalanche of Inconsistency, and carries on its convulsed 
bosom, terror, dismay, and revolution. Before you lift a 
finger to put this destructive mass in motion, pause, re- 
flect, and cool. Read the pages of ancient and modern 
history, and learn its awful ravages ; weigh well its re- 
sults in our own cities, but recently smoking with the 
blood of its victims. It must be guarded against, or 
it will yet prostrate the beautiful superstructure of our 
Union, and Liberty will expire, amidst the burning 
ruins of its own citadel. 

Are you a participant in political corruption ? This 
is the volcano of Inconsistency, with a crater more dan- 
gerous than that of Vesuvius. Its burning lava will 
dry up the flowing stream of patriotism, wither the 
fairest flowers of honesty that bloom ; destroy the no- 
blest edifice Freedom can rear. Its mountain waves 
submerged the ancient republics in ruin ; consumed the 
ancient kingdoms ; and are assuming a fiery aspect in 
our beloved country. Let every patriot unite in purg- 
ing our atmosphere from political intrigue ; turn back 
the rolling flood, by banishing from public trust, every 



118 THE PROBE. 

man, known to be contaminated with this dangerous 
contagion. 

Are you charged with wild ambition? This is the 
forked lightning of Inconsistency. By its devouring 
flames, nations have been riven ; governments con- 
sumed ; kingdoms, empires, and republics, dissolved. 
It is a dangerous element, quench it while you can, 
before it accumulates a force beyond your control. 

Are you an office seeker ? The Lord have mercy 
on your soul. This is the lottery wheel of Inconsistency, 
where there are a thousand blanks to a prize. The 
day of miracles is past — a few loaves and fishes are no 
longer sufficient for the multitude. Go home, thou 
disconsolate child of duplicity. Anticipation will not 
feed or clothe you and your anxious, lonely, deserted 
family. Cease to follow this ignis fatuus — it will most 
likely lead you into the slough of disappointment, and 
quagmire of penury. When you are called to office 
by your country, then will be time enough to enter the 
thorny arena of public service. By its briars and bram- 
bles, you will get sufficiently lacerated, should you en- 
ter at a late period. 

Are you a scoffer at religion ? This is the vestibule 
of Inconsistency, that leads to the regions of despair, 
where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched. 
If you value the salvation of your immortal soul, flee 
from this portico of hell, to the open arms of a forgiving 
Saviour. 

Finally, let us all be admonished, to shun every ap- 
pearance of Inconsistency. In the name of philan- 
throphy ; in the name of human rights ; in the name of 
liberal principles ; in the name of American Freedom ; 
in the name of our departed sires ; in the name of re- 



INGRATITUDE. 119 

ligion ; and in the name of high heaven ; let all, who 
value our Liberty; who prize our free institutions, be 
induced to watch, with an Argus-eye, and defend, with 
a strong arm, the ^ear-bought privileges we so emi- 
nently enjoy, and guard against every encroachment of 
Inconsistency. 

If we are true to ourselves, our Republic may be 
preserved for centuries ; if we suffer Inconsistency, with 
its retinue of myrmidons, to march on, conquering and 
to conquer ; our years may soon be numbered ; our 
prosperous career speedily arrested, and the nations 
that now respect and fear us, will cease to pay us def- 
erence ; laugh at our calamity ; mock at our dissolu- 
tion, and hug their crowns and chains with new de- 
light. Then, 

"With tears, our fate we may deplore, 
In vain look back to what we were before, 
We'll fall, like stars, that set to rise no more." 




INGRATITUDE. 

Avaunt ! thou thing infernal ! 
Extract of baseness ! essence of blackness ! 
Ergot of meanness ! concentrated poison ! 
Spawn of the adder ! fuel of .hell ! 
Thy breath is pestilence ! thy touch is palsy ! 

Damning ingratitude. — Author. 

Of all the dark spots on depraved human nature, of 
all the vile acts of man towards man, none throw such 
a freezing chill over the whole body, and drive back the 
purple current on the aching heart, like base and dam- 
ning Ingratitude. Indifference continued, coldness per- 



120 THE PROBE. 

severed in, favours forgotten, friendship unrequited , 
by one who has been the willing recipient of our esteem 
and bounty ; bring a palsying horror over the soul, that 
thickens the blood in the veins, making the whole head 
sick, and the whole heart faint. 

Pour upon a man of fine feeling, a noble, generous soul, 
the combined diseases flesh is heir to — let death snatch 
his loved ones from him — strip him of all his earthly 
goods — let him be assailed by keen adversity and pinch- 
ing want ; let prison grates confine his body to the lonely 
cell — let the poisoned arrows of malice and revenge be 
hurled, and pierce him with many wounds — these, all 
these are a panacea to his bleeding heart, compared 
with the deathly pangs inflicted by base Ingratitude. 

My God ! from whence came this king of passion's 
fiends? It must be the offspring of him, who was once 
the tallest angel in the high heavens, and first sowed the 
seeds of dark rebellion there. Yes, it was he that dared 
to lift his rebel arm against his benefactor, the great 
Jehovah ; and was hurled, with lightning vengeance 
from his lofty height, to the lowest hell. He was the 
first that disturbed the harmony of God and angels, the 
Apollyon of the human race, the morning star of Pan- 
demonium. Foul blot on blackness ! And why is he 
permitted to belch out his burning lava on frail mortals? 
To teach man humility, wean him from this world of 
sin and wo, and turn his immortal soul towards that 
haven of enduring peace and enrapturing happiness, 
where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary 
are at. rest. Transporting thought ! most sovereign 
balm for the scorpion stings of scathing, blighting In- 
gratitude. 



INEQUALITIES OF LIFE. 121 



INEQUALITIES OF LIFE. 

At the present day, as in former times, we have 
many restless spirits among us, who set themselves up 
for reformers of society — proposing to change the whole 
order of things, and bring about an equality in the hu- 
man family. I admit the need of reformation in many 
things and persons, and know of none who need to be 
reformed, more than some of these modern pretenders. 
Destitute of moral principles, infidels in heart and prac- 
tice — agrarians — levellers — too indolent to pursue a 
laudable calling — too well known to impose upon the 
well informed around them — they are doomed to a but- 
terfly career in the history of the times. I allude to 
those who are forming Agrarian societies — and preach 
the necessity and justice of making an equal division 
of landed property among all. The history of their ca- 
reer, and the ruinous consequences of their influence in 
former times, stand as a beacon light, to warn us of 
approaching danger from this class of bipeds. Their 
system is chimerical — ridiculous, impossible. Could it 
be put in full operation in a day — it would be deranged 
the next, by some of the rising generation arriving at 
majority, and claiming his or their equal share of the 
domain. The change of the system would be diurnal, 
and therefore impracticable, even if all were in favor 
of it. Its folly is too apparent for argument. Like 
other impossibilities, it has only to be understood, to 
render its advocates powerless. An able writer, in 
treating upon this subject, says, "You may dig out the 
inequalities of life, but they will come again." They are 
irremovably based on four pillars, which stand as firm 
16 ' L 



122 THE PROBE. 

as the perpetual hills — strength, talent, wealth, and 
rank. The two first produce inequalities among savages 
in the dense forest, in all the rudeness of nature — the 
two last produce it in the most refined society. Absurd 
as it is, riches often give a man more consequence than 
talent, which, joined with virtue, is the only thing that 
should place one man above another of inferior capacity. 
In this country, more than any other, an equal division 
of landed property would be unjust, because our most 
wealthy citizens have acquired it by their own industry, 
and generally treat the industrious, virtuous poor ; with 
as much courtesy as a rich neighbor. Security in per- 
son and property, is a fundamental principle of our 
constitution. 

It may be well to determine what are the inequali- 
ties of life, the removal of which would prdduce a better 
state of society. It is a proposition admitted by all, that 
happiness is the pursuit of man. It is a truth equally 
plain, that riches do not, but in. rare instances, pro- 
duce happiness — but generally the reverse. That in- 
dependence without wealth, is more common and pure, 
than with it, is not a paradox. It is a trait in human 
nature, that those who have much, want more — cares 
and perplexities increase with wealth — peace of mind 
is disturbed — an avaricious disposition is engendered — 
temptations to do wrong accumulate — the better pas- 
sions are blunted — and well did our great Teacher say, 
that it was hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom 
of heaven. Wealth is often a snare to ourselves, and 
a temptation for others to do us great harm. If an- 
other too common course is pursued by the rich — luxu- 
rious living and an indulgence of the baser passions — 
their happiness is destroyed by a round of satiety and 



INEQUALITES OF LIFE. 123 

fatigue, want of rest, contracted disease, and premature 
death — and perhaps a ruined estate, often follow. 

Those who support rank, are no less happy — both 
classes violate the laws of nature, which impose a 
penalty, whenever disregarded. Nor do men of great 
talents bask in the sunshine of happiness. If in public 
life, they are a mark for the jealous, the envious, the 
slanderer ; who are constantly plotting their ruin, and 
embittering the cup of life. If they are in retirement, 
they are restless, or are racking their brain with men- 
tal exertion, and know nothing of the sweet repose 
enjoyed by the day laborer. The good old prayer — 
" Give me neither poverty nor riches," with content- 
ment, contains the true secret of temporal happiness. 
Poverty consists in being destitute of the necessaries — 
not the luxuries of life. All who have health can ac- 
quire these by industry — the sick may be made com- 
fortable by a proper application. If the above propo- 
sitions are true, it follows that happiness, the chief 
pursuit of man, is not enhanced by riches, rank, or 
great talents ; and that to level the inequalities pro- 
duced by them, would not produce as great a reform 
in society, as many imagine, and that these sources of 
happiness are more imaginary, than real. Artificial 
wants and false pride, indulgence in idleness and vice 
— a discontented disposition, and a longing after the 
flesh pots, are the real sources of misery — not the de- 
privation of riches, rank, or talent. 



124 THE PROBE. 



JEALOUSY. 

Thou fiend ; what bus'ness hast thou here on earth, 
Dissension breeder, from thy very birth 1 
I cannot guess thine errand to the world — 
By thee is nature topsy-turvy hurl'd. — Pindar. 

Jealousy affects the human mind, much after the 
same manner, that the ague does the body ; and has 
often been cured by the same medicine — arsenic. Like 
the BoJion Upas, it poisons the atmosphere around it, 
and endangers all who approach it — with this differ- 
ence — it often becomes so virulent, that it destroys its 
own citadel. Treason, murder, and suicide ; march 
under its dark banner. Like Nero, it delights in hu- 
man gore ; like the plagues of Egypt, it penetrates the 
abodes of the rich and poor, the public functionary 
and private citizen. It has invaded all classes, from 
the humble peasant in the hovel, to the pompous king 
on the throne. Its paroxysms have been seen in the 
juvenile nursery, in the primary school, in the conviv- 
ial party, in the giddy dance, in the private circle, and 
by the domestic fireside. It has plucked roses from 
the damsel's cheek, driven the young man to despera- 
tion, embittered the joys of a faithful wife, and admin- 
istered, to the fond husband, the potion of poison. It 
is an enemy to human happiness, the father of crime, 
the hot bed of fell revenge, the prime mover of dissen- 
sions, the soul of anarchy, the fuel of party spirit, the 
instigator of revolution, the bane of public good, the 
incubus of religion, the parent of wars, and an earth- 
quake in the body politic — setting nations in commo- 
tion, sometimes sinking them in the dark abyss of 



JUDGMENT. 125 

irrecoverable ruin. It has been justly remarked by a 
close observer of human nature, that "Jealousy, of all 
the passions, is that which exacts the hardest service, 
and pays the bitterest wages." Let all who desire 
peace of mind — the respect of those around them, and 
the welfare of our race ; banish this fell monster from 
their hearts for ever. 



JUDGMENT. 

JUDGE NOTj LEST YE BE JUDGED." 

" The nature of mankind is such, 



To see and. judge of the affairs of others, 
Much better than their own." — Terence. 

Perhaps no precept of the immaculate Redeemer 
is oftener violated, than the command, not to assume 
the high station of judge. Well did the poet of Car- 
thage, who penned the above lines, understand human 
nature — the same yesterday, to-day, and to the end of 
time. The disposition, and what is worse, the cultiva- 
tion and active operation of the disposition, to im- 
properly meddle with the business of others, and to 
weigh all their supposed motives and actions in a false 
balance — often purposely using false weights and the 
mirror of misconstruction, has been a moral disease, 
preying on the vitals of society, from time immemorial. 
Even religion, the best remedy for the malady, has 
not proved a specific. Busy bodies, meddlers, tattlers, 
the jealous, the envious, the revengeful, the inquisitive 
— those who have the bump of curiosity large — all 
make a desperate plunge to dip their spoons in the 
soup dish of their neighbors, uninvited, and without 

l2 



126 THE PROBE. 

ceremony, decency, or courtesy. True, they sometimes 
get badly scalded — but being destitute of the bumps 
of self respect and caution, they repeat their efforts, 
exhibiting less discretion than the monkey, that was 
made drunk, and fell in the fire, and could never again 
be induced to taste alcohol, or go near a fire. Knaves 
try to help themselves, by pretending to help others. 
Great ingenuity, industry, and perseverance are man- 
ifested in the modes of attack. False sympathy, flat- 
tery, a tender concern for your interest, bare-faced 
impudence and hypocrisy, make their attacks in front — 
whilst slander, falsehood, dark inuendoes, and damning 
praise, assail the rear. Pliny says, that Julius Caesar 
blamed so ingeniously, that his censures were mistaken 
for praise. Many, at the present day, praise only to 
reproach. As has been observed by an eminent writer, 
" They use envenomed praise, which, by a side blow, 
exposes, in the person they commend, such faults, as 
they dare not, in any other way, lay open." Deeply is 
the poison of calumny infused in this way — the venom 
of a coward, and the cunning of a knave combined. 

The great misfortune, arising from a disposition 
to judge others, and meddle with their affairs, con- 
sists, in its being void of genuine philanthropy. Rare 
instances may occur, when a person intrudes himself 
upon another for good — but such intrusions arc, " like 
angels' visits, few and far between." It is of the con- 
trary, and by far more numerous class, that I speak — 
men and women, who look at others through a smoked 
glass — that they may avoid the brightness of the good 
qualities, and discover more clearly the bad — who first 
perform the office of the green fly, that other flies may 
prey upon the putridity they produce — scavengers of 



JUDGMENT. 127 

reputation, who gather the- faults, blemishes, and in- 
firmities of their neighbors into a Pandora box — and 
there pamper them, like a turtle for a holiday dinner — 
until they are inflated to an enormous size ; they are 
then thrown, into the market, and astonish every 
beholder. 

Devils blush, and angels weep over such a disposi- 
tion as this. It is a canker worm in the body politic — 
the incubus of religion — the destroyer of reputation — 
the bane of peace in society — the murderer of inno- 
cence — a foul blot upon human nature — a curse in 
community, and a disgrace to our species. 

Its baleful influence is felt, its demoniac effects are 
experienced, in all the walks of life. In the political 
arena — within the pale of the church, and in the 
domestic circle — its miasma is infused. The able 
statesmen — the profound jurist, the eloquent advocate, 
the pulpit orator, the investigating philosopher, the 
skilful physician, the judicious merchant, the indus- 
trious mechanic, the honest farmer, the day laborer, 
the humblest peasant, the child in the nursery ; have 
all experienced the scorpion lashes of this imp of 
Satan. Nay, more — female character, basking in the 
sunshine of innocence, has often been withered, blight- 
ed, ruined ; by its chilling breath. 

Let each reader examine, and see if this propensity, 
so deeply rooted in human nature, is exercising an in- 
fluence over his or her mind. If so, banish it from 
your bosom, as you would a deadly viper. Let its 
enormity be held up to children, by parents and teach- 
ers, that they may learn to dread, despise, and avoid 
it. Teach them charity, forbearance, forgiveness ; and 
all the virtues that adorn our race. Teach them to 



128 THE PROBE. 

mind their own business — to correct their own faults — 
to cultivate their own minds — to think no evil of others 
— to speak evil of no one — and rely upon it, the rising 
generation will better obey the precept — Judge not, 

LEST YE BE JUDGED. 



KNOWLEDGE. 

Knowledge dwells 
In heads replete with thoughts of other men ; 
Wisdom, in minds attentive to their own. — Cowper. 

The stock, in the great store house of knowledge, 
has long been increasing in amount and variety. For 
pome time past, the quantity of fancy goods, has far 
exceeded that of the coarser kind, fit for every-day use. 
So numerous have the manufactures become, and so 
much are the prices reduced, that by far the greatest 
numbers of the community have ceased to use home- 
made articles, and have put the machinery of their own 
brains in the garret. Whether this is an advantage to 
the intellect of man, calculated to increase its volume 
and strength, or, like luxurious living, enervate and 
weaken, is a problem I will not stop to solve. It is 
worthy the attention of abler pens than mine. To 
know ourselves, is of the highest importance. 

Since the assortment in this great store house is so 
great, it requires judgment and skill, especially on the 
part of those who are confined to small purchases, in 
selecting that which will be most useful in the sphere 
in which they are ostensibly destined to move I am 
aware genius cannot be limited, but close observation 
will enable us to determine, in some degree, the path, 



KINGS. 129 

circumstances and nature have marked out for us — ■ 
bumpology professes to determine to a certainty. 

If you are confined to a small portion, let it be that 
of the most solid kind. Let your books be few, well 
selected, and thoroughly read. By a close observation 
of the laws of nature, in full operation around us ; of 
things, as they meet our view ; and of men, as they are 
ever moving before us ; we obtain a treasure of know- 
ledge, not found in the schools, so called, nor always 
clearly learned from books. That knowledge is of 
most importance, that leads us in the shortest road to 
truth. This is the kind that best answers the old defi- 
nition of the term, Knowledge is power. Small draughts, 
if they are from the foaming top of the fountain, intoxi- 
cate, and require larger quantities to sober us. Draw 
from the bottom at first, you will come to the fumes 
and gases soon enough. A thorough common educa- 
tion, so termed by the literati, like common sense, is 
the easiest obtained and most useful. 



KINGS. 

The love of kings is like the blowing of 

Wind, which whistles sometimes gently among 

The leaves, and straightway turns the trees up by 

The roots ; or fire, which warmeth afar off, 

And burnetii near at hand ; or the sea, which makes 

Men hoist their sails in a flattering calm, 

And to cut their masts in a rough storm. — Lilly. 

Any one who is familiar with the history of kings, 

from the most ancient, down to those who are now 

wielding the iron sceptre of monarchy, can appreciate 

the truth of the above lines. Their course has up- 

17 



130 THE PROBE. 

rooted nations — fire and sword have marked their 
career, they have been raised by the whirlwind of party 
spirit, riding, for a time, on the tornado of faction ; 
and, by the same elements, often dashed to pieces. In 
a large majority of cases, the tenure of their crowns 
has been a mere rope of sand, and limited in its dura- 
tion. Passing down from the Persian empire, less and 
less stability characterized monarchies, for many cen- N 
turies. The number of modern European Kings, 
Queens, and Emperors, the most enlightened on the 
eastern continent, has been enormous. From A. D. 
800, England has had fifty-six. From A. D. 768, 
France has had fifty. From A. D. 824, to 1603, Scot- 
land had forty. From A. D. 800, up to the confedera- 
tion of 1815, Germany had been favored with fifty-six. 
Prussia, from A. D. 802, to the present time, has had 
fifty-nine. Spain, from A. D. 858, to the present time, 
has had seventy-seven. Sweden, from A. D. 825, to the 
present time, has had forty-eight. In the year A. D. 
1699, subdivisions commenced. From that time to the 
present, Denmark has had five. From A. D. 1706, Por- 
tugal has had eight. From A. D. 1701, Prussia has had 
five. From A. D. 1713, Naples has had seven. From 
A. D. 1720, Sardinia has had eight. From A. D. 1704 to 

1805, Poland had twelve. From A. D. 1831, Belgium 
has had one. From A. D. 1805, Bavaria has had two. 
From A. D. 1806, Wirtemburg has had two. From A. D. 

1806, Holland has had three. From A. D. 1806, Saxony 
has had three. From A. D. 772 to 1820, the Papal power 
has had one hundred and sixty-one heads, whose power, 
varied, at different periods, from absolute, over most 
of the kingdoms, to the control of Austria, Italy, &c. 

The above numbers are substantially correct, and 



KINGS. 131 

the dates when each kingdom commenced, are believed 
to be entirely so. If variety is the spice of life, and 
the dispositions of kings, queens, and emperors ; as 
various as their numbers have been, Europe has been 
spiced with a vengeance. This item of history is given, 
that the reader may be induced more highly to appre- 
ciate the freedom we enjoy. 

How different from all other potentates, is the his- 
tory of the KING of kings. Compared with the sub- 
limity and grandeur of his advent and reign, all earthly 
pageantry is the shadow of a shade. His pathway 
illuminated by the morning stars, he descended to earth, 
and tabernacled in clay. The archangel's trump sounds 
the glad tidings of peace on earth, and good will to 
men. The shepherds heard the joyful news, echo re- 
verberated the soul-cheering message, ever the hills 
and through the dales of Bethlehem. The Prince of 
glory appeared in all the majesty of light and purity ; 
Divinity, clothed in humanity — his wardrobe, all the 
Christian graces, crowned with love; his cmopy, the 
heavens ; his palace, all space ; his throne, the hearts of 
his people ; his lifeguards, legions of angels ; his power, 
almighty; his kingdom, the universe; his subjects, the 
saints of all time ; his tenure, Eternity. His laws 
are based on freedom — concise, plain, equal, just ; as 
enduring as the immortal soul, freely and cheerfully 
obeyed by all his subjects, in every age and clime. His 
earthly career has been graphically portrayed by the 
master pen of inspiration, in five words, He went 
about doing good. His rays of light burst upon the 
world, like lightning, glancing through the midnight 
gloom. 

How unlike the pageantry of the greatest mon- 



132 THE PROBE. 

archs of frail humanity — conquerers of the world ; des- 
olators of the earth ; scourgers of the human race ; 
murderers of millions. How unlike their laws ; the 
breath of tyrants, the chains of slaves, the iron-barred 
shackles of man. How unlike their subjects ; governed 
by fear, quailing with terror, shuddering with dread — ■ 
obsequious, cringing, miserable, wretched vassals. 

In death, the contrast is still more striking. Con- 
template the awful terrors, the keen remorse, the fear- 
ful dread, the biting anguish, the dreadful death pangs, 
of the proud Alexander, the ambitious Caesar, and the 
disappointed Bonaparte. Darkness impenetrable hung 
over their pathway — no light illuminated their passage 
to the tomb. With them, their power expired ; no sub- 
jects obey them now. No rich perfume renders their 
memory sacred. With the hand of oppression, tbey in- 
scribed their names, in letters of blood, on the tablet of 
inglorious fame. At one bold stroke, death struck them, 
and their mandates, from the calendar of life; nor did 
the stroke disturb the calm of nature. In the dust they 
moulder, nor will they rise to resume their robes of ma- 
jesty, or again wield their iron sceptres over man. 

How different the scene on Calvary. The sun in 
darkness — the moon in crimson — the earth quaking — 
rocks rending — hell moving — the KING of kings ex- 
piring. But how short the triumph — how transient the 
conquest. Jesus put forth his recovered strength ; 
crushed the sting of death ; snatched from the grave 
the laurels of boasted victory ; placed them upon his 
owd brow; burst the cleft rock tomb; triumphed over 
Lis enemies ; rose, the godlike conqueror ; ascended to 
his native heaven, amidst the shouts of angelic throngs, 
vvl o lifted high the eternal gates, and let the KING of 



LABOR, 133 

glory in. There he lives, enthroned in majesty, sway- 
ing, and to sway his mild sceptre over his willing and 
happy subjects through all time ; loved, revered, obeyed, 
and adored; by the countless millions who have, and 
shall enlist under his banner of love. Nor is this all. 
Again will this KING of kings descend to earth, in 
majesty, fearful, terrible, and exterminating, to his en- 
emies; peaceful, happy and joyful, to his saints. To 
describe the awful grandeur of that scene, would require 
an angel's pen, dipped in etherial fire, and more than 
an angel's hand to guide it. 

Let all be prepared for that dreadful day, when 

" Man, starting from his couch, shall sleep no more ! 
Above, around, beneath — amazement all ! 
Terror and glory join'd in their extremes ! 
All nature struggling in the pangs of death ! 
Our God in grandeur, and a world on fire ! !' } 



LAB OR. 

The man and woman who is above labor, and des- 
pises the laborer, show a want of common sense, and 
forget that every article that is used, is the product 
of more or less labor, and that the air they breathe 
and the circulation of the blood in the veins, is the re- 
sult of the labor of the God of nature. The time was, 
when kings and queens stimulated their subjects to la- 
bor, by example. Queen Mary had her regular hours 
of work, and had one of her maids of honor read to 
her, whilst she plied the needle. Sir Walter Raleigh 
relates a cutting reply made to him by the wife of a 
noble duke, at whose house he lodged over night. In 

M 



1 34 THE PROBE. 

the morning, he heard her give directions to a servant, 
relative to feeding the pigs. On going into the break- 
fast room, he jocosely asked her if the pigs had all 
breakfasted. All, sir, but the strange pig I am about 
to feed, was the witty reply. Sir Walter was mute, 
and walked up to the trough. 

Washington and his lady were examples of industry, 
plainness, frugality and economy — and thousands of 
others of the wealthy, labored in the field and kitchen, in 
olden times, before folly superceded wisdom, and fashion 
drove common sense and economy off the track. 

The necessity imposed on man to labor, is unques- 
tionably a great blessing, as much as many are opposed 
to it, and as others flee from it. In those countries, 
and districts of country, where the greatest amount of 
labor is requisite to obtain the necessaries of life, we 
find the most vigorous, healthy, and athletic inhabitants. 
Where nature has done most for man, in providing for 
his bodily wants, we find him most destitute of the 
solid comforts of life. In the highlands of Scotland, 
on the mountains of Circassia, amidst the hills of Nor- 
way, the people are happier, by far more robust, and 
more energetic, than in effeminate Spain, or degraded 
Italy. In our own country, rock-bound New England, 
the long range of the Allegheny mountains, and their 
numerous spurs and valleys, support a much more 
hardy race of men, than the sunny South. When the 
body becomes weakened by indolence, or by luxury, 
the mind usually suffers with it. The energies become 
torpid, the intellectual powers are not cultivated, and 
the whole man becomes enervated for want of action. 

Labor in the open air is most conducive to health, 
and agriculture affords the largest share of happiness, 



LABOR. 135 

because the most independent of all professions. To 
raise, gather, and enjoy the fruits of the earth, and 
attend to flocks and herds, were the employments first 
assigned to man by our great Creator. Now, the va- 
riety is so great, that all who will, may labor in a 
manner to suit the most fastidious fancy. Immense 
tracts of land are yet uncultivated, our work shops are 
numerous, and rapidly increasing, our commerce is 
courting the markets of every clime. Here, mental 
labor has an opportunity to expand and spread — and 
genius here finds a field as broad, more free and con- 
genial, than in any other part of the world. All the 
powers of body and mind, physical and intellectual, here, 
more than any where, are put in the juxtaposition of 
mutual dependance upon each other, and are mutually 
useful to each other. Manual labor, on the one hand, 
produces food and raiment for the body ; and the increase 
of wealth ; developes the treasures on, and in the earth 
and water ; intellectual labor, on the other, discovers the 
best means, implements, and plans for producing these, 
and makes laws, rules and regulations, for the protec- 
tion of person and property; the advancement of the 
moral condition of man, and the peace and prosperity 
of each individual, and the aggregate community. 

But few are so ignorant, as not to feel their depend- 
ance on those around, above, and below them. This 
feeling of mutual dependance produces harmony, in- 
creases happiness, and promotes social order. A!) 
who study their physical organization, must soon dis- 
cover how helpless man would be without a thumb — the 
same reasoning will lead them to appreciate the small, 
as well as the great, in our body politic; one of the 
fundamental principles of a republican government. 



136 THE PROBE. 

Labor also induces men to be better citizens. Idle- 
ness leads to vice and crime. Indolence is no part of 
ethics or theology, nor is it recommended by pagan or 
Christian philosophy, by experience or common sense. 
Man was made for action, noble, sublime, and god-like 
action. Let him see well to it, that he does not thwart 
the design of his creation, and plunge headlong into the 
abyss of misery and wo. 



LAW. 

I 

Law is like longitude, about, 
Never completely yet found out, 
Though practis'd notwithstanding. 
'Tis like the fatalist's strange creed 
Which justifies a wicked deed, 
While sternly reprimanding. — Ray. 

Law, as denned in the elementary books, is the 
clear, translucent stream of justice, flowing freely and 
smoothly between the banks of wisdom and truth, puri- 
fied by mercy and equity. 

As found upon our statute books, this highway of 
justice, like some of our rivers, is interrupted in its 
free course, by individual dams, sand bars, snags, and 
flood wood; often changing the channel, and causing 
many a shipwreck. Its sinuosities are too numerous, 
for instinct and skill combined, to guard against danger 
at all times. 

In our books of reports, the decisions of the high 
courts, professedly expositors and adjusters of ele- 
mentary and statute law, are emphatically a laby- 
rinthian maze. In attempting to remove the impedi- 
ments thrown into the stream of justice by ignorant 



LAW. 137 

statute law makers, judges not unfrequently sink their 
own snag boat in the channel, and increase, instead of 
removing the danger. Hence, the original broad 
channel is filled with impediments — numerous narrow 
and crooked channels are formed, and he who can steer 
clear of the various obstacles in the stream, is more a 
lucky, than skilful pilot. So diverse and adverse are 
the decisions of different high courts, and of the same 
high court, that in examining cases, as precedents by 
which to try a suit, the lawyer encounters a perpetual 
change of cloud and sunshine, and occasionally a real 
thunder storm, succeeded by a burning sun. What 
was law at one time, is not law now — what is law in 
one place, is not in another — locality, individuality, 
prejudice, and perpetual change, characterize the de- 
cisions of judges learned in the law. I recollect a case 
to the point. 

A shrewd lawyer was solicited to bring a suit, which 
could not be sustained by general principles of law, but 
was fully and clearly sustained by a decision of the 
Supreme Court. He accordingly brought the suit in 
that court, and brought it up during a term, when the 
judge was on the bench, who delivered the opinion of 
the court, in the case relied upon. The learned judge 
at once took a stand against the unfortunate attorney, 
who very coolly read the opinion formerly delivered by 
him. The judge quickly remarked, " that is not law 
sir." " It is an opinion delivered by your honor," 
replied the attorney. " I can't help that sir, it was not 
law then, is not now, and never will be," replied the 
judge. The limb of the law felt that he was only a 
limb, and was dished up, like a lobster for a modern 
epicure. No mistake — there is a glorious, and some- 
18 m2 



138 THE PROBE. 

times an inglorious uncertainty hanging over the law; 
and a glorious certainty of avoiding much trouble, vex- 
ation, loss of money and time ; by keeping out of it. A 
word to the wise is sufficient. 

It is, however, absolutely necessary to have laws, 
and, properly expounded and administered, they are 
an inestimable blessing. We must have laws, but we 
need not a labyrinth of laws. The highway of justice 
is straight, based on the substratum of common sense. 
Supposititious law has filled, and is filling, its once broad 
and clear channel with impediments, increasing the dan- 
gers and uncertainty from year to year. Its banks of 
wisdom and truth are groaning under the accumulating 
mass of alluvial deposits — mercy and equity often fail 
to purify the stream from the mud of intrigue and the 
filth of corruption. Labor increases as the intricacies 
multiply — expenses swell with the back water, caused 
by each impediment, and but few wise men are found, 
who are willing to attempt a second voyage in a court 
of Law. He that can devise a remedy, will deserve 
well of his country. I would suggest the use of a con- 
denser, and the chloride of simplicity, as promising 
partial relief. 



LOVE. 

True love's the gift which God has giv'n 
To man alone, beneath the heav'n. 

If we consult the poets on this subject, the conclu- 
sion would not be very irrational, that love is the foun- 
tain of rhyming poetry, at least, and that most of the 
rhymers have been plunged all over in its delectable 



LOVE. 



139 



waters, and at all temperatures. They have sung- of 
its divinity, radiating the high way to heaven ; of its 
terrestrial visits ; of its influences upon the mind ; of 
its spring showers and May flowers; its summer heat 
and foliage; its autumnal fruit and yellow leaf; and of 
its winter nose-gays and chills. They have portrayed, 
in glowing colors, its lightning flashes on riven hearts ; 
its melting powers on hearts of flint ; its amalgam fires 
on kindred souls ; its firmness, its fickleness ; its sta- 
bility, its flight ; its joys, its miseries ; its friendships, 
its quarrels ; making it, like some politicians, every 
thing by turns, and nothing long ; each to suit his own 
fancy, and that fancy at various temperatures. They 
have sung its timidity, and boldness; its truth and 
falsity ; its strength and weakness ; its unrelenting 
sternness and god-like forgiveness ; its disappointments 
and triumphs. Most of the large, and myriads of poetic 
minnows, have tuned their harps to songs of love, set 
to airs, from Yankee Doodle up to Old Hundred. 

If doctors, alias poets, disagree, who shall decide? 
Terrestrial love is like a chamelion, it takes the colors 
of the hearts on which it creeps. If the hearts are 
pure white, all is well ; otherwise, an amalgamation is 
unnatural, often ruinous, always despicable. If two 
black hearts, melted by the unhallowed fires of base 
passions or sordid avarice, aided by the flux of decep- 
tion, commingle, the fruits are the quintessence of 
Pandemonium. Nor has the time yet been ushered in, 
when the lion and the lamb can lie down together in 
peace. If money, high family reputation, mere per- 
sonal beauty, or fashionable accomplishments, are the 
basis of love, the foundation is sandy — the superstruc- 
ture will not withstand the storms of life. If these 



140 THE PROBE. 

motives were mutual, the flame sooner dies ; if pure 
on the one hand only, the fire may last longer, but 
leaves a keener chill when it expires. That love which 
is based on the mutual esteem of pure hearts, refract- 
ing and reflecting the rays of good qualities on each 
other, is alone productive of earthly joy. If this is 
made more pure, by the smiles of a reconciled God, 
who is love, induced by an obedience to his will; if 
religion chastens the union, the highest pinnacle of 
earthly happiness is reached — the most refined enjoy- 
ments are experienced. If not, it is owing to a dispo- 
sition so crooked, like the grain of some trees, that 
lightning could not follow it. 



LUXURY. 

Like some vast flood, unbounded, fierce, and strong, 
His nature leads ungovern'd man along. — Crabbe. 

By some, this term is confined to high-seasoned and 
an over abundance of food ; by others, it is made to 
cover all excesses in the gratification of sensual plea- 
sures and debased appetites. Either is ruinous to health 
— combined, they hasten misery and death. Nature 
has her fixed laws, and when those, governing the hu- 
man system, are violated, the penalty follows close on 
the heels of the offender. Overload the stomach with 
plain food, you impose a burden on the digestive pow- 
ers, that weakens them ; high-seasoned food accelerates 
the evil — add alcohol, you then have the infantry, 
cavalry, and artillery of the enemy; all pouring a 
deadly fire upon the citadel of nature. If you choose 
to forward the work of conquest more rapidly, use the 



LUXURY. 141 

rockets of tobacco, and the bomb shells of opium. 
These combined forces will soon demolish the strongest 
fortifications nature ever erected. You know it, you 
have often seen it, perhaps now feel it ! 

If you are desirous of a more naval, a slower, but not 
less expensive and sure process, be abstemious in food 
and drink — attend balls, gay circles, theatres, the hells 
of blacklegs, dress fashionably, deprive yourself of 
sleep, make whist parties, play the libertine, and dance 
to folly as she flies. In this way, you will succeed as 
surely, sometimes more rapidly, than you at first an- 
ticipated — anticipated did I say? — a mistake — no man 
anticipates the end of such mad career. His base 
appetites and delirious desires first dethrone reason — 
convert the man into a brute — the animal leads him, 
hoodwinked, to the gulf of ruin, and pushes him into 
destruction. Combine all these forces, attack simul- 
taneously by sea and land, you can take the citadel by 
storm. 

Reader, this manual is short, but true as the books 
of Euclid. Look around — you can readily discover 
demonstrations — and, fearful thought, perhaps in your 
own person. If so, pause, reflect — invoke the great 
Jehovah to enable you to break the serpentine coils 
that bind you — let reason resume her throne — let com- 
mon sense lead you back to duty and to safety. There 
plant yourself on the rock of Ages — take the Bible for 
your manual, the Spirit of all grace for your guide, and 
let Heaven be your aim, that it may be your reward. 



142 THE PROBE. 



MAN. 



Distinguished link in being's endless chain! 
A beam etherial ; sullied and absorpt ! 
Though sullied and dishonor'd — still divine ! 
Dim miniature of greatness absolute ! 
An heir of glory ! A frail child of dust ! — Young. 

Man was created after the moral image of Deity, 
his soul, an embodied immortal spirit ; his body capped 
the climax of visible creation. He was endowed with 
all the rational powers, with intellect to discern and 
plan. His body was the crowning glory of created 
matter ; was put in motion by the pure breath of the 
great Jehovah, with all the appetites and sensibilities, 
requisite for the unalloyed enjoyment of the rich boun- 
ties in the store house of nature, and with physical pow- 
ers to execute, all that reason and genius should dictate 
to be done. He was the grand connecting link between 
Heaven and Earth — his soul communing with God and 
Humanity ; celestial and terrestrial pleasures commin- 
gling in harmony. 

As the finishing touch on that elysian state of man, 
Woman was made, and added a brighter lustre, a softer 
melody, a finer tone, a richer enchantment, and new 
delights, to the heart of nian, and the beauties of crea- 
tion. The great Architect looked upon this finished 
work with delight, heaven rejoiced, angels smiled, 
Satan wept, hell was moved. This Elysium was sus- 
pended by a single cord — obedience to God in but one 
particular — one tree had forbidden fruit, all else was 
free as mountain air, and ample as their needful wants. 
With lightning speed and burning wrath, Lucifer flew 



MAN 143 

to the bowers of Eden, put on the deceptive mask of 
the wily snake ; sang the siren song of untasted pleas- 
ures within the reach of the happy pair ; infused his 
polluting breath with theirs ; seduced them from allegi- 
ance to their King ; destroyed their innocence by indu- 
cing disobedience ; stamped the indelible stain of sin on 
their purity, with ink infernal ; infused his own vile 
passions in their nature ; planted the poison of mortal- 
ity in their bodies ; sowed the seeds of thistles, briars, 
and thorns in their garden ; snatched the flowers of bliss 
from Paradise ; cut the silver cord of all their joys ; 
stripped them of happiness, and left them naked; 
hiding, and writhing in bitter agony and keen despair. 
Ruin ensued, Jehovah frowned, the earth was cursed, 
the rebels fled, heaven mourned, angels wept, Satan 
smiled, hell rejoiced. The deed was done, man had 
fallen. 

Thus were our first progenitors betrayed and seduced 
from the duty they owed to their Creator ; all the mise- 
ries of their fall rushed upon them and their progeny ; 
their created powers in full vigor, but poisoned with the 
miasma of hell ; with a clear perception of good and evil, 
and with full power to choose between them, a natural 
impulse inclined them to the latter; the most cogent 
reasons pressed upon them to still love God and return 
to him for succor ; but their hearts were charged with 
rebellion and enmity against him, and his government; 
and they at once commenced weaving a garment of 
self righteousness to hide the shame of their degrada- 
tion. But all was vain — they were doomed culprits, 
and could neither hide their shame, or flee from im- 
pending wrath. They were arraigned — had no excuse 
— were condemned — the sentence of death was passed 



144 THE PROBE. 

— the sword of justice drawn — when Mercy interposed. 
The sword was stayed — her plea was heard — the Eter- 
nal Son gave his bond for the penalty — Man was spared, 
and again became a probationer — not in his native inno- 
cence, but by faith in the glorious Redeemer and Medi- 
ator, could ultimately be restored to his original purity 
and bliss. 

Hence we find Man the cap stone of the climax of 
paradoxes ; a complex budget of contradictions ; a 
heterogeneous compound of good and evil ; the noblest 
work of God, bespattered by Lucifer ; an immortal 
being, cleaving to things not eternal ; a rational being, 
violating reason ; an animal with discretion, glutting, 
instead of prudently feeding appetite ; an original har- 
monious compact, violating order and revelling in con- 
fusion. Man is immortal without realizing it ; rational, 
but often deaf to reason ; an animal, transgressing the 
law of appetite ; a combination of noble powers, waging 
civil war, robbing, instead of aiding each other ; yet, 
like the Siamese twins, compelled to remain in the 
same apartment. They were created allies, to promote 
their own happiness and the glory of their king ; but 
Beelzebub, the first rebel against heaven, has made 
them conspirators. Appetite is lead astray by pleas- 
ure ; they first stupify, then dethrone reason ; im- 
mortality becomes paralyzed, and loses sight of things 
eternal — stupified reason and voracious appetite run 
riot, and depose the soul, all these fall in the ditch to- 
gether, — the natural consequence of violating the laws 
of common sense, reason, and revelation. 

Notwithstanding his ignominious fall from original 
purity, a way has been provided, by which man can be 
restored to his native dignity, and again repose in the 



MATRIMONY. 145 

sunbeams of God's love. The Eternal Son cancelled 
the bond given for the redemption of our race, at the 
time and place appointed ; by giving his life, a sacrifice 
for its payment. He has opened a fountain in the 
house of King David, where every stain may be washed 
away. He has opened the gushing streams of the 
waters of life, where all may freely drink and live. The 
noble powers of man are left, but associated with bad 
company. We have only to separate these — keep our- 
selves unspotted from the world, close in with the terms 
made by Mercy, and all will yet be well. 

With his nature polluted as it is, so important was 
man considered by the Trinity, that all Heaven was 
moved to devise the plan of his restoration. O, Man, 
look within, and see the wonders, the powers of thy 
immortal soul. Through the long vista of history, a 
single glance carries us back to the time of our creation. 
Our minds, with the rapidity of light, encircle the globe, 
measure the stars, grasp the arcana of nature, and find 
a resting place, only in the contemplation of the great 
Jehovah. We are heirs of glory, why cling to earth, 
and turn our backs on our legal inheritance ? Forbid 
it reason, forbid it heaven, forbid it Almighty God. 



MATRIMONY. 

The tieasures of the deep are not so precious 
As are the conceal'd comforts of a man ; 

Locked up in woman's love. — Middleton. 

Poet Middleton and his Lady Love, were probably 
among the few happy pairs, contemplated by the Indian 
Philosopher, who believed souls were made in heaven, 

19 N 



146 THE PROBE. 

to meet and match on earth ; but often got separated 
on their way down, and got mis-matched, and of course 
were rendered miserable. I believe, with the poet, that 
if a woman can succeed in locking a man in her love, 
and keep the key, and make him stay locked, their 
earthly bliss must be precious. But once out, he is as 
hard to get in, as an untamed bird, escaped from a cage. 
The marriage institution is the bond of social or- 
der, and, if treated with due respect, care, and dis- 
cretion; greatly enhances individual happiness, and 
consequently, general good. The Spartan law punish- 
ed those who did not marry ; those who married too 
late; and those who married improperly. A large por- 
tion of the evils that have defaced the original organi- 
zation of the Roman Church, were the result of the 
injunction of celibacy, imposed on the priests; an em- 
bargo that is gradually being raised. There are other 
causes that have stripped the marriage institution of 
its ancient simplicity, and rendered its pure stream 
turbid in places. Among the Patriarchs, before there 
were any rakes, parents never interfered, the young 
pair made the match, and the girl always married the 
man of her choice, an indispensable pre-requisite to a 
happy union. Latterly, especially among the rich and 
great, the parents make the matches, and marry por- 
tions of money, or noble blood, together, instead of 
their children — mutual esteem, the foundation of hap- 
piness, is a secondary concern. Fashionable circles; 
gay life; levees among the great; watering places; 
and wealth, or an appearance of wealth ; often cheat 
the young into Matrimony, without any love in the pot, 
and without the aid of parental authority, the very cir- 
cumstance that should induce it; for, as society now 



MATRIMONY. 147 

is, it is often proper that the experience of parents 
should prompt them to interpose to prevent, but never 
to enforce marriage. We have many polished knaves 
in modern times, who make it a profession to betray 
innocence, and sacrifice virtue — demons, that have been 
vomited out of hell, to serve the devil. Marriages, not 
based on mutual esteem, often produce connubial infi- 
delity, always unhappiness. A few discreet men seek 
for wives, some seek for nurses, more seek for beauties, 
and a larger portion seek for money in hand, or in 
expectancy. Fashion and habit have also thrown much 
mud in the stream of matrimony, since the time our 
hardy and happy pioneers settled this country. Then, 
the girls and boys were permitted to eat and grow fat — 
now, they are often moulded after the wasp, body and 
mind. Then, they took their lessons in the kitchen and 
field; now, in the drawing room and anti-work socie- 
ties. Formerly, they made and wore homespun; now, 
our country is drained of specie to supply more costly, 
and less comfortable and durable wearing apparel 
Then, the girls were educated for wives, and the boys 
for men of industry — now, the former are educated tc 
make a show, the latter, to make a dash. Then, the 
spinning wheel was sweet music — now, it is vulgar. 
Domestic felicity, old-fashioned economy and industry, 
have been strangled together, by fashion and habit- 
hence, we have fewer happy marriages, and more di- 
vorces, than in times of yore. All are not angels, that 
angels seem. 

Marriage, properly engaged in, enhances the conse- 
quence of those who enter into it, by inspiring confidence 
in the surrounding community. Figure one only counts 
a single unit, make it as big as you may — put another 



148 



THE PROBE. 



figure one by its side, and we have eleven. The mar- 
ried man, if he performs his duty, is no longer a bird 
of passage, but becomes a permanent citizen, and as 
his little responsibilities increase, feels an increasing in- 
terest in the welfare of our common country. His 
comforts, interests, joys, and griefs ; are shared by the 
partner of his bosom — his soul is expanded — he has 
something to care for, besides his noble self — consola- 
tions unknown to single blessedness — bachelors. 

But love on both sides, and all things equal in out- 
ward circumstances, are not all the requisites of do- 
mestic felicity. Human nature is frail, and multiform 
in its passions. The honey moon gets a dash of vine- 
gar, now and then, when least expected. Young peo- 
ple seldom court in their every-day clothes, but they 
must put them on after marriage. As in other bar- 
gains, but few expose defects. They are apt to marry 
faultless — love is blind — but faults are there, and will 
come out. The fastidious attentions of wooing, are 
like spring flowers, they make pretty nosegays, but poor 
greens. Miss Darling becomes the plain house wife, 
and Mr. Allattention, the informal husband, not from 
a want of esteem, but from the constitution and nature 
of man. If all these changes, and more than would 
answer in wooing time, are anticipated, as they are by 
some analyzing minds, their happiness will not be em- 
bittered by them when they come. Bear and forbear, 
must be the motto put in practice. 

Let the unmarried be cautious of those who do not treat 
their parents, those around them, and even brute ani- 
mals, kindly. Beware of those who do not, at least, res- 
pect religion. Beware of those whose minds are always 
floating on the surface of vanity, and are nauseated at 



MATRIMONY. 149 

serious reflection. Beware of those whc have more non- 
sense than common sense. Finally, to enter safely into 
the married state — the contracting parties should under- 
stand human nature, and above all, their own disposi- 
tions — and then compare them frankly and candidly. 
If one is alkaline, and the other acid, a frequent effer- 
vescence must occur — to be happy under such circum- 
stances, your love must be strong, and religion rule 
your hearts. The Rock of Ages, is the firmest found- 
ation on which matrimony can rest. The atmosphere 
of piety is free from many storms and fogs, that over- 
take and hang over those who are strangers to its 
purity. I will add the experience of another, for our 
mutual benefit. 

" When people understand they must live together, 
for reasons known to the law, they learn to soften, by 
mutual accommodation, the yoke which they cannot 
now shake off. They become good husbands and 
wives, from the necessity of remaining husbands and 
wives; for necessity is a powerful master, in teaching 
the duty it imposes. If it were once understood, that, 
upon mutual disgust, married persons might be legally 
separated, many couple, who now pass through the 
world with mutual comfort — with attention to their 
common offspring, and to the moral order of civilized 
society, might have been, at this moment, living in a 
state of mutual unkindness — in a state of estrange- 
ment from their common offspring, and in a state of 
the most licentious and unreserved immorality. 

" In this case, as in many others, the happiness of 
some individuals must be sacrificed to the greater and 
more general good. If people come together, with 
the extravagant expectation, that all are to be halcyon 

n2 



150 THE PROBE. 

days — the husband conceiving, that all is to be author- 
ity with him, and the wife, that all is to be accommo- 
dation with her, every body sees how that must end. 
If they come together with the prospect of happiness, 
they must come with the reflection, that not bringing 
perfection in themselves, they have no right to expect 
it on the other side — that having respectively many 
infirmities of their own to be overlooked, they must 
overlook the infirmities of each other." — Lord Sloiccll. 



MISFORTUNES. 

OFTEN SELF CREATED 



A large portion of the miseries of mankind, in a 
pecuniary point of view, are brought on by themselves. 
One cause may be found in a restless disposition. 
Some men try every kind of business by turns, be- 
come master of none, and necessarily make a sacrifice 
at every change. They fly every way to get wealth, 
and overtake poverty before they are aware of its 
proximity. Had they begun coblers, and stuck to 
the awl — all would have been well. The people of our 
country are more fickle in business, than those of any 
other. 

Mrs. Restless has a kind husband, docile children, 
and a competence. Her neighbor, Mrs. Stylish, has a 
wealthy, surly, snappish husband; but is surrounded by 
splendid furniture, and rides in a carriage. Mrs. Rest- 
less envies her pomp, and would be glad to be in her 
situation; and Mrs. Stylish envies, in turn, the other 
fair lady, because she has a kind husband, and is not 
troubled with the parade of wealth. Both are unhappy, 



MISFORTUNES. 151 

because discontented. Farmer A. and Merchant B., 
both well off, imagine a change in business and loca- 
tion, from country to city, and from city to country, will 
enhance their happiness, and increase their wealth. 
They try it, and soon make shipwreck of their wealth, 
and sigh for former comforts, now beyond their reach. 
Had they let well enough alone, all would have been 
well. 

Another cause may be found in the indulgence of 
artificial and imaginary wants. More expensive dresses, 
more delicate food, more costly furniture, the comfort- 
able plain carriage must give place to a coach — none 
of which add to real comfort, perhaps the reverse — 
have ruined thousands. 

Trying to purchase the reputation of wealth in the 
opinion of others, by living beyond their means, has 
landed many a family on the bleak shores of poverty. 
These exhibit more folly than the preceding char- 
acters. 

A greedy ambition and impatience after wealth, often- 
brings poverty down upon a man, like an avalanche of 
snow. Rash speculation often does the work in short 
order. 

An indulgence in the pleasures, fashions, vices, and 
follies of the day, is the greatest source of self-created 
misfortunes, which are neither few or light. 

To avoid these misfortunes, the first grand requisite 
is, to become truly pious, and live in the favor of our 
great Benefactor. Be temperate — govern your desires 
and passions — be on good terms with the world, and 
those around you — spend all your time usefully — make 
no enemy or lose no friend carelessly — be cheerful 
and contented — despise not small gains — never be 



152 THE PROBE. 

led astray by delusive prospects of sudden wealth — 
mind your own business, only when charity calls you 
to interfere and aid others — avoid the extremes of 
avarice and prodigality — use the world as not abusing 
it — take a pew and family newspaper-^use and pay 
for them both — and live in a full belief of, and put your 
trust in that Being who rules wisely, and cease crea- 
ting misfortunes ; they will come fast enough without 
your artificial aid. 



MONEY. 

A KNOWLEDGE OF MONEY. 



A large portion of man and womankind, are sadly 
destitute of this important branch of knowledge. I 
will particularize but four classes. The avaricious and 
miserly man renders himself, and those within his 
power, miserable, by making too much of money. He 
becomes an idolator, and violates the law of God, and 
of common humanity. 

The spendthrift runs into the opposite erroneous 
extreme, and by not placing a sufficiently high estimate 
on money, to induce him to use it prudently, he makes 
it the means of his speedy ruin, by wasting it in extra- 
vagant foolish expenditures, perhaps in the indulgence 
of sensual and vicious pleasure. 

We have a third class of persons, who would make 
good use of this necessary evil, if they knew the rela- 
tive value of money, and the things to be purchased 
with it. Our country is flooded with land sharks, who 
are on the alert to rob all who can be deceived. Un- 
less we know the worth of the article to be purchased, 



MONEY. 153 

there are many who will charge twice or four times its 
value — for those persons are excellent physiognomists 
and phrenologists, and can tell a green horn, man or 
woman, half a square off. 

Those who are confined within the walls of a semi- 
nary, from childhood to the time they commence life for 
themselves, are those who suffer most from an utter 
destitution of a knowledge of the value of things. 
From their books, they learn that money has been 
treated with contempt by the learned and wise, and are 
erroneously led to believe that money, instead of an 
inordinate love of it, is the root of all evil. They have 
had no means of learning the worth of things, and, with 
a highly polished classical education, they are more 
ignorant of the common concerns of life, indispensably 
necessary to prepare them to live, than a huckster boj 
but ten years old. It is a cruel error in our system of 
education, not to adopt some plan, that will prepare 
our young men to live, as well as shine, when they 
arrive at their majority. If, during vacation, boys 
were put to active business, real work, and the girls 
in the kitchen, and both often taken on shop and mar- 
ket, instead of pleasure excursions, it would do much 
towards curing the evil. To be safe against imposi- 
tion, we must be well acquainted with the common 
concerns and business of life. They are not taught in 
our seminaries, and must be learned somewhere, 
sooner or later. If this indispensable part of education 
is postponed to man and womanhood, it is then ac- 
quired at a dear, often ruinous price. 

The fourth class is composed of those who make 
money the standard of reputation and merit — a limb 
of that baneful aristocracy, that is increasing in our 
20 



154 THE PROBE. 

cities and large towns, at a fearful rate. I have often 
thought of the force of a remark, made 10 me about a 
year since, by an observing man of thirty-five, who had 
been raised in it, relative to the standard of reputation 
in the city of . 

" If you desire me to inform you of the standing, repu- 
tation, and consequence of any man in that city, first tell 
me how many dollars and cents he is worth — his intelli- 
gence and moral icorth are of no account." He continued, 
" See the consequence. Tliat city has not a single public 
square, or a single asylum within, and but a miserable — 
emphatically a poor house, beyond, its limits." J fit haul 
money, without character, is the motto of aristocracy. 

When the love of money, which has been long con- 
sidered the root of evil, pervades a community, all that 
is noble, generous, and that adorns human nature ; is 
blighted, as by a Sirocco. Money the standard of repu- 
tation ! Money placed above the mental powers, the 
moral attributes of mind ! the acquirements of splendid 
talents — the triumphs of lofty genius ! Away with 
such a false standard — it is unworthy of immortal be- 
ings. Use money as not abusing it — but banish the 
love of it, and let it no longer defile, degrade, and 
cripple the noblest powers of man. Its love is anti- 
republican, anti-human, and anti-christian. It dries up 
the milk of human kindness, and transforms the soul 
into a sterile, barren waste, contracting its expansive 
powers, until they become so small, that they find more 
room within the circumference of the almighty dollar, 
than a frog would in Lake Erie. 



NATURE. 155 



NATURE. 

In the vast, and in the minute we see 

The unambiguous footsteps of the God 

Who gives its lustre to an insect's wing, 

And wheels his throne upon the rolling worlds. — Cowper. 

The capacity of man, that enables him, by observation 
and investigation, to grasp the works and operations of 
Nature, and, aided by Revelation, to comprehend God 
in every thing, is a strong evidence of the immortality 
of the soul, and of the vast powers of his mind. To 
trace the perfect gradation of Nature, from the smallest 
animalcule, up to the grand centre of the planetary 
system, is the province of man. He is privileged to 
enter the great laboratory of Nature — not to work, but 
to admire ; not to dictate, but to be instructed. He 
there beholds a perfect whole, without a vacuum — a 
connected whole without a discord ; a separate inde- 
pendent whole, beautifully connected ; each part mov- 
ing by itself, yet each contributing to the harmony 
of the whole ; and a single thing, unlike most of the 
inventions of man, performing separate and distinct 
offices. 

The atmosphere is the element of respiration; the 
conductor of light by refraction and reflection ; and, by 
being decomposed, becomes heat, three grand essen- 
tials of life. The ocean sustains its myriads of in- 
habitants ; and, although it is a great reservoir of salt 
water, by the joint action of the atmosphere and sun 
upon it, becomes the great fountain from which the 
earth is supplied with fresh. The sun warms, enlight- 
ens, controls time, motion, and space. The earth 



156 THE PROBE. 

bears on its bosom, all that is necessary for man and 
beast, in almost endless variety ; and in its bowels, the 
minerals that enable us, with greater facility and com- 
fort, to reap the other bounties that surround us. 
View the mineral, the vegetable, and the animal king- 
doms, as a connected harmonious whole, or separate ; 
and then each part of each, separate, from the smallest 
grain of sand, up to the mighty globe ; from the small- 
est fibre of the smallest plant, up to the majestic oak ; 
from the smallest animalcule, that can be seen by the 
most powerful microscope, up to the crowning glory of 
creation — Man — all is one united harmonious whole, in 
regular gradation, without an imperfect link. Who 
can contemplate Nature as it is, and doubt the existence 
of a God ? None but the wilfully blind, and obstinately 
perverse. 



NOVELS. 

To me it seems, their females and their men 

Are but the creatures of the author's pen ; 

Nay, creatures borrowed, and again convey'd 

From book to book — the shadows of a shade. — Crabbe. 

Novel writers and readers, have increased, within 
the last half century, like rabbits in a clover field, and 
have produced and devoured more flowers, than escu- 
lent plants. Taken as a whole, from Fielding, Rich- 
ardson and Smollet, down to the "just published," 
the benefits that have resulted from the productions of 
novel writers, are like a kernel of wheat in a peck of 
chaff. Comparatively few of them inculcate morals, 
pure as those of the Pagan school, and fewer recom- 



NOVELS. 157 

mend, much less, inculcate Christianity. Novel writ- 
ing has become a profession, and novel reading, a 
mania. The one caters, the others devour, like the 
shark, every kind of food that comes in their way, la- 
belled, " A new novel." As this class of readers sel- 
dom consult the Bible, Query, would it not be well to 
foil the devil, by publishing it in piece meal, with the 
above label? The name of the author presents the 
grand objection. I complain less of the name novel, 
than of quality and quantity. By being crammed with 
light and frothy trash, the mind, like the body with new 
cider, becomes affected with flatulency ; a continuation 
of which, produces dyspepsia ; this often results in dys- 
orexia, and sometimes in dysthymia. 

Novel writing, is imagination playing upon imagina- 
tion. The writer is a veteran, inured to the service ; 
the readers, less accustomed to fatigue, are more liable 
to be overworked, especially if young. The one knows 
and treats the subject as fiction ; the others often treat 
it as a dreadful reality. As a convincing proof to me, 
that novels vitiate the taste, and destroy a relish for 
stronger food, I can turn my mind's eye to several, 
whom I have seen weeping over a novel, and have seen 
the same person sit under the most vivid description 
of the crucifixion of our Saviour, with stoic indiffer- 
ence ; showing, clearly, that this kind of reading neither 
improves the judgment, nor leads to a true estimate of 
persons and things. The same persons would look 
pale, if asked to read Paley on the Mind, and be locked 
in the arms of Morpheus, by Locke on the Understand- 
ing. 

Unsound and false thinking, often produce improper 
actions. Not unfrequently do weak-minded persons 

*0 



158 THE PROBE. 

take the hero or heroine of a novel, as a pattern for 
imitation, and succeed about as well as a monkey would 
in distilling whiskey. The style of novels, some of 
them festooned with the gayest flowers of language, is 
calculated to give a disrelish for more solid and useful 
books ; for habit is as quick to seize power, as an am- 
bitious demagogue, and holds on with as much tena- 
city. If the Bible was read more, and novels less, it 
would be better. 



OCCUPATION. 

The man who has no occupation is in a bad plight. 
If he is poor, want is ever and anon, pinching him ; if 
he is rich, ennui is a more relentless tormentor than 
want. An unoccupied man cannot be happy — nor can 
one who is improperly occupied. We have swarms of 
idlers among us, the worst of whom are gentlemen 
idlers ; that is, men who pursue no useful occupation, 
and sponge their way, often enjoying the luxuries of 
life, living upon the hard earnings of others — the can- 
cers of community — pseudo patterns of bipeds — leeches 
on the body politic. 

In this wide-spread and expanding country, no 
one need be without some useful occupation. All 
trades and professions are open, from the honest hod 
carrier, up to the highest place in the agricultural, com- 
mercial and mechanical departments, and from the 
humblest, but not least useful teacher of A. B. C, up 
to the pinnacle of professional fame. Those occupa- 
tions that require manual labor, are the surest, most 
healthy, and most independent; surest, because they 



OCCUPATION. 159 

are more expansive ; healthiest, because they give ex- 
ercise to the physical powers ; most independent be- 
cause less exposed to the whims and caprice of public 
opinion. The two great professions, Law and Physic, 
are fearfully overstocked at the present time, and, mel- 
ancholy as is the fact, parents are pushing their sons into 
this accumulating torrent, covered with floating wrecks, 
as indiscriminately as the Hindoos do their children 
into the Ganges. It is a sad mistake, an injury to the 
son, and to our common country. But a small portion 
succeed well, a few more make a mere living, but by 
far the largest portion struggle awhile with disappoint- 
ment and poverty, and then go at some other business, 
or, what is more lamentable, become dissipated and 
ruined. Every boy should be taught some manual 
occupation, and every girl housewifery — no matter how 
rich the parents, or for what profession designed. Riches 
can be taken from us — our trade or occupation — never 
while we live. A profession may fail — we then know 
how to labor. I would especially caution parents against 
putting their sons to the profession of the Law. As 
people grow wiser and better, lawyers will be less need- 
ed. Physic has also lost much of its mystery — people 
are becoming their own physicians more and more. In 
the early history of our race, we read of neither law- 
yers or doctors, a strong hint that none were needed 
then — if the number of the former was now reduced 
three fourths, and that of the other one half, and the 
young flood dammed up for ten years, it would greatly 
increase individual happiness and the prosperity of our 
country. 



160 THE PROBE. 



OFFICE SEEKERS. 

Had not office seeking become a kind of professional 
business, based upon impudence, and the rank and file 
monopolized by many who are void of true patriotism 
— men in leading strings — slaves of party leaders and 
reckless demagogues — some sympathy should be ex- 
tended to the disappointed thousands, who swell the 
multitude at the seat of government. It would be but 
charitable to sympathize with those who are ignorant 
of the political machinery of party politics — and have 
been led there by the promise of some member for whom 
they voted — a promise, probably made to scores of 
others, for the purpose of obtaining their votes. Office 
seeking and office promising, are among the canker- 
worms that are preying on our body politic, and are 
causing serious mischief. The aspiring candidate, who 
thinks more of self than the glory and good of his coun- 
try, obtains many votes, by selecting a number of pli- 
ant, plausible men in his district ; and promising each 
a slice from the wheat loaf, should he be elected. If he 
succeeds, they are encouraged to make a journey to 
head quarters — where they go, only to be disappointed, 
often spend the last dollar they can raise, and leave 
their families to suffer for bread. Scenes of distress, 
arising from such reckless promises, are of common 
occurrence, the authors of which, cannot be too severely 
censured. 

Office seeking has become a game, in which the ap- 
plicants are the pack, demagogues the players, and 
government, alias, the dear sovereign people, the table 
played upon. The secret of true wisdom consists in keep- 



OPINION. 161 

ing out of the pack, !' ving in sweet communion with 
your family, friends, and with the Author of all good. 
When virtue and geuuine patriotism predominate, 
offices will seek good ard competent men, who should 
answer the call, as a matter of duty, not of pleasure or 
profit. If corruption, intrigue, and duplicity, are the 
order of the day, it is useless for good men to enter 
the arena of applicants — they will be jostled out — have 
their names traduced, and their feelings mortified. Let 
them rather aid in clearing out the Augean stable, as 
the only means of safety, for themselves and our country. 



OPINION. 

'Tis with our judgments as our watches — none 
Go just alike, yet each believes his own. — Pope. 

If Pope wrote truly of the people at the time he 
penned the above lines, they were composed of differ- 
ent materials from those of the present day. A large 
portion of our people, in matters of high importance, 
especially political and religious, either carry dumb 
watches, do not wind them up, do not trust to them, or 
force them to run alike. Some big clock governs the 
mass around it. As it clicks, so they click — as it points 
the hour, the minute, the second, so do they. If the 
big clocks were all true to time, and all alike, there 
would be some sense and comfort in being governed by 
them — as it is, it would be well for us to look a little to 
our own timepieces, exercise our own judgments, and 
learn to think and act for ourselves. This would have 
a tendency to regulate the big clocks, put a check on 
21 o2 



162 



THE PROBE. 



demagogues, and allay the heat of party spirit. In re- 
ligious matters, let the Bible be the standard, and let 
us set our watches to it by actual inspection, and no.; 
depend upon another to give us the time ; much less, 
upon those who go by a dial, governed by the moon, 
instead of the Sun of Righteousness. Although our 
time may then agree with the big clock, it will be for 
the reason that it is correctly set to the same standard. 
It is very agreeable to go with the multitude if right — 
better be alone than wrong, or to wrangle with those 
who differ in opinion, and believe they are right. Let 
every one be persuaded in his own mind, is the injunc- 
tion. By these remarks, I mean not, that one man 
shall treat those with contempt or indifference, who 
differ with him in opinion — but the reverse — they should 
be respected because they have an independence of 
mind, without which man is a mere automaton. Nor do 
I undervalue the opinions of others. This would be to 
repress, not encourage investigation, and would be an 
assumption of infallibility, which belongs only to God. 
Let opinion be free as mountain air, and not be confined 
by demagogues or priests, by metaphysicians or dogma- 
tists, by kings or popes, but based on Reason and Reve- 
lation. Nor do I mean any disrespect to those who are 
worthy and competent to lead — for leaders there must 
be. I only wish to prompt men to use the noble powers 
of their immortal minds for themselves, that they may 
better benefit others ; and neither let them rust out, 
or be worn out, to forward the selfish designs of 
intriguing and ambitious aspirants. Discussion in the 
mental, like a thunder storm in the natural world, 
purifies the atmosphere, and when the clouds are 
cleared away by the action that produced the commo- 



PARTY SPIRIT. 163 

tion, the sunbeams of truth in the former, as the foun- 
tain of light in the latter, shine upon all around. 

Be not over anxious to know the opinions of others 
concerning yourself. If they are favorable, it may in- 
crease that rank weed, pride — if the reverse, it may sour 
your temper and destroy your happiness. To be cursed 
with this kind of curiosity, is worse than corns on the 
toes — or gout in the head. Cultivate an independence 
of mind, deserve the good opinion of others — then run 
your boat in the middle channel — be neither too anxi- 
ous, nor yet indifferent of what others think of you. 
Keep a conscience void of offence, act justly, love 
mercy, and walk humbly before God and man. 



PARTY SPIRIT 



For years, my voice and pen have been arrayed 
against this foul spirit, nor shall my humble efforts relax, 
until the purple current ceases to flow from my heart, 
or the enemy is subdued. Its history is red with blood 
— its career has been marked with desolation and ruin, 
often riding on the whirlwind of faction, and the tornado 
of fanaticism. It has blotted kingdoms and empires 
from the map of the world — its burning lava has con- 
sumed nations, blighted the fairest portions of creation, 
and sacrificed millions upon its sanguinary altar. Its 
motive power is wild ambition — its fuel, too often, fell 
revenge — its object, illegitimate power. I refer to its 
past history, from which we are to draw lessons for the 
present and future. Human nature is the same — like 
circumstances will produce the same results. Although 
this Bohon Upash&s not attained a towering height in our 



164 THE PROBE. 

own country, it is taking deep root in our community — 
its poison already contaminates our political and religi- 
ous atmosphere — it has already had its victims of blood, 
and blighted the fair reputation of many an individual. 
Its miasma has reached our ballot boxes, violated the 
peaceful fireside, traduced private character, invaded 
patriotism, induced perjury, countenanced forgery, cor- 
rupted our elective franchise, arrested the liberty of free 
discussion, and produced mobocracy, in its most fearful 
aspect, marked with sanguinary scenes and direful 
consequences. 

If these sad effects have been realized in the spring- 
time of its growth, how awful will be the consequences 
of its summer foliage, and autumnal maturity ? The 
solution of this problem is found in crimson, and fully 
demonstrated in the history of nations that once were, 
but now are not — nations who enjoyed the sunshine of 
prosperity, until this demon sealed their ruin. 

It is contended by many, that it is the safety of a 
Republic to have two political parties, that one may 
watch and detect the corrupt designs of the other. If 
this argument is sound, our country is highly favored, 
for we have four distinct parties, besides guerilla 
leaders, who plunder from each of the others. The 
argument would be sound, if either party would banish 
all demagogues from its ranks — become purely pa- 
triotic — be guided entirely by love of country, charity 
towards others, the fear of God, prudence, sound dis- 
cretion, and rigid justice to all. As they are now con- 
stituted, for one to correct the faults of the other, 
would be like Satan rebuking sin. There are good 
traits and good men in each party, but good men are 
not apt to become party leaders, and bad riders will 



PARTY SPIRIT. 165 

spoil the best of horses. Many of the prominent lead- 
ers of the present day, are much like the Kilkenny cats. 

We have swarms of demagogues who are destitute 
of patriotism — who are regardless of the good of our 
country; men of seven principles — "jive loaves and two 
fishes" — men who put on the livery of heaven to ac- 
complish base party purposes — who unite an oily 
tongue with a scorpion heart — an evil brain with an 
active body — often sacrificing honor, integrity, and 
even their friends ; to carry out plans, based entirely 
upon party spirit ; pressing towards the end, with 
the force of a locomotive, regardless of the means 
brought in requisition. 

The influence of this foul spirit has often manifested 
itself in our legislative halls, in the cabinet, and in the 
distribution of executive patronage. It is no longer an 
inquiry, what, but who recommends a man to office. 
The first and highest qualification is, to belong to the 
party in power — "Is he honest? is he worthy? is he 
competent?" are old fashioned JefFersonian questions, 
of secondary importance. It is with reluctance, that a 
man of real worth and modest merit, enters the political 
arena, or consents to encounter the pestiferous atmos- 
phere of party spirit, now hanging, like an incubus, 
over our beloved country. Nor is merit a necessary 
qualification with the demagogue. Available — is the 
omnipotent word — the grand counter-sign — the magic 
passport to a nomination — and when nominated — the 
candidate must be voted for, although destitute of ca 
pacity, moral virtue, and the requisites of a statesman. 
As a natural consequence, dignity, decorum, and com- 
mon courtesy ; are often banished from our legislative 
halls — scenes of confusion occur — crimination and re- 



166 THE PROBE. 

crimation usurp the place of sound logic and courteous 
debate — reason is dethroned — common decency out- 
raged — the business of our country neglected, or badly 
performed — party laws passed at one session, and re- 
pealed at the next — all the result of being enslaved by 

PARTY SPIRIT. 

Let those who love Liberty and our common coun- 
try, burst the fetters of party — think and act for them- 
selves — spurn the fawning demagogue, and become 
Freemen indeed. On this course depends our safety — 
our final national destiny. 

Party spirit is not confined to the political arena. It 
has raised Alpine barriers in the way of the religion of 
the cross — sectarian walls, behind which the skeptic, 
the infidel, and unbelievers, hide with impunity. All 
Christian creeds are professedly drawn from the same 
pure fountain — yet, by a kind of chemical process, each 
sect gives its own supply a hue to suit its own fancy, 
and each forms a distinct party. How awful the per- 
secutions of party spirit, by one set of professing Chris- 
tians against another — let past history tell, and the 
angry clouds that are gathering in our own country — 
confirm. 

Unless intelligence, wisdom, and prudence, check the 
onward career of party spirit, daily accumulating 
force in our midst, our country is doomed — our union 
dissolved— our Liberty lost — our Freedom gone. 



PAUPERISM. 167 



PAUPERISM. 

This growing evil of our country, like many others, 
nas so far pursued its bold and onward course, pre- 
senting a bold front, pressed on by an accumulating 
rear. Relief has been the watchword with the be- 
nevolent; causes and reiwedy, have but recently been 
traced and proposed, and are now arresting the atten- 
tion of the public mind in this city. 

Prodigality is the great first cause — the others are 
secondary, and minor. By prodigality, I mean, a waste 
of Intellect, Time, and Money, the three great 
secondary causes of Pauperism. Intellect is wasted by 
ignorance or perversion ; time is wasted by idleness ; 
and money, by an unnecessary and criminal expenditure. 
Darkened or perverted intellect, gives a wrong direction 
to the mind, poisons it with false principles, and often 
diverts the body from the path of rectitude and useful 
employment. Idleness is the teeming hotbed of vice, 
from grossness, up to refinement — every avenue of 
which, leads to Pauperism. 

Useless and criminal expenditures of money lead to 
the same goal, from the unnecessary smoking of a cigar, 
drinking alcoholic poison, patronizing hells of blacklegs, 
or living and dressing beyond the income ; up to the 
extravagant outlays of the rich, who pamper pride, by 
making a pompous show, to attract the admiring gaze 
of those of the multitude, who have more fancy than 
brains, and more vanity than common sense; retaining 
an infantile taste for glittering gewgaws, as long as 
they live ; thinking every thing gold that shines. 



168 THE PROBE. 

In the abstract, idleness is the great producer o 
pauperism — the reservoir of vice and crime. 

A minor secondary cause of Pauperism, is improvi- 
dence, or a want of judgment and experience in doing 
business, and using money. A system of education 
should be introduced, to remedy this evil. 

Another minor cause may be found, in the liberal 
provision made by the benevolent, for paupers. In 
many persons, this has induced idleness, and an ex- 
penditure of money for articles not. indispensably requi- 
site, knowing, that some of the benevolent institutions 
would provide for their wants. If we had no alms- 
houses, Dorcas Societies, or Soup Associations; there 
are many who would lay up a store for winter, that now 
depend upon them, and even speculate from them. I 
remember a case in point. A woman, a beneficiary of 
a Soup Society; called in the afternoon of a day, for 
four quarts of soup. She was reminded that she had 
been served in the morning — "True," said she — "but 
sure, haven't I taken four boarders since?" 

Another cause of increasing Pauperism is, the large 
number imported from Europe. Congress should pre- 
vent this. I would not dispense with eleemosynary insti- 
tutions, but I would recommend a more rigid discipline. 
We have long been devising and adopting plans of re- 
lief, but a remedy has but recently been suggested, that 
seemed to promise success — that remedy is the Bible, 
and the religion there inculcated. It is a fact worthy 
of notice, that more than ninety-nine out of a hundred 
of the paupers in this city, are not members of Bible 
churches. This fact has more force, than a volume of 
fine-spun arguments. Virtue and industry are the ne- 
cessary results of pure Bible religion. St. Paul said. 



PERSPECTIVE. 169 

he that will not work shall not eat. If all will work, 
who are able, and make a judicious use of their earn- 
ings, we should have but few paupers, and those, the 
really unfortunate. Bring all under the influence of 
the Bible, pauperism would be reduced ninety per cent., 
the day that is accomplished. Let the philanthropist 
look around in the churches where the Bible has free 
course, and he will be astonished to find scarcely 
a pauper there, and that pauper supported by the 
church of which he or she is a member, and not a bene- 
ficiary of any other institution. 



PERSPECTIVE. 

A GLANCE AT HUMAN NATURE — SELECT AND ORIGINAL. 

Some make large figures on a public subscription, 
who spurn the famishing poor from their door. Some 
enter zealously into laudable plans, if originated by 
themselves, not otherwise. Some are greatly moved 
by trifles, who bear heavy calamities with fortitude. 
Some preach virtue, but practise vice. Some censure 
pride in the devotees of fashion, and are themselves 
just as proud, in being out of fashion. Some husbands 
and wives are all love, dove, dear, and honey, when 
abroad ; their ill-nature they keep for domestic use, 
and go abroad but seldom. Some are so uneven in 
their temper, that at one time, nothing can anger them, 
at other times, nothing can please them; others are 
like punk-wocfd, quick to take fire, and quick to go 
out; others are slow to anger — but when offended, 
usually stay so for life. 

Some feel deeply their own misfortunes, but those 
22 P 



170 THE PROBE. 

of others, they view with calmness. Some are free to 
volunteer their own advice, but spurn the advice of 
others — being overwise in their own conceit — more 
hopeless cases than fools. Those who crouch and faw n 
to superiors, are usually tyrannical masters. Some 
change their friends often, and like the last ones best. 
Some practise affectation to appear large, and ren- 
der themselves ridiculous. Some base their faith and 
opinions on some leading star, or the multitude, not 
on their own judgment and reflection. Some create 
suspicions of dishonesty, by too great professions of 
honesty. Some mistake taciturnity for wisdom, and 
stupidity for gravity. 

Some ladies of fashion affect extreme sensibility by 
their looks, manners, and tones of voice; and are so 
tender hearted, as to weep over high-life scenes of 
fiction, portrayed in a novel; but can view, with stoic 
indifference, the vulgar poor, objects of real distress, 
that have legitimate claims on their charity. Cosmop- 
olite philosophers have a large fund of speculative be- 
nevolence, consisting in words — not deeds. They are 
true to their prototype, Seneca, who was very wealthy, 
wrote an admirable essay on charity, but never gave 
any thing to the necessitous. 

We have another class of bipeds, who seek to ease 
their guilty consciences, by commuting for neglects 
and trespasses, hard dealing and close shaving, by a 
grave and punctilious attendance at church on Sunday. 
Distance, mud, and storm; are no barriers. The devil 
delights in such servants. Some havt too much re- 
ligion in theory, and too little in practice. Some will 
wrangle for it, others will write for it, some will fight 
for it, others will die for it ; but there are too few who 



PILLOW. 171 

live for it; after the precepts and examples of its great 
Author. In two things, false professors of all religions 
have agreed — to persecute all other sects, and plunder 
their own. 



PILLOW. 

The pillow is the throne of conscience, and the cita- 
del of reflection. It is there, that the world is shut out ; 
there, conscience will be heard; there, reflection en- 
forces attention. There, the grand review of life, and 
especially of the past day, week or month, takes place. 
There, errors are corrected, or plans laid to increase 
them — there, resolutions are formed — good or bad ; but 
there, more than any where, conscience corrects the 
bad, and enforces the good. On the pillow, we analyze 
our plans of business, our judgments are more settled, 
we discover what is wrong, and abandon it; and are 
more strongly confirmed in what is right. The good 
man buries his resentments in the pillow, and the 
wicked are often conquered by reflection, and, on the 
pillow, nobly resolve to forsake their wickedness, and re- 
turn to the paths of virtue. The pillow often cools burn- 
ing revenge, and drives anger from the heaving bosom. 

On the pillow, the Christian delights to hold com- 
munion with Him who protects him by day, and guards 
him by night. He can there review the numerous bless- 
ings of which he is the happy recipient, reflect upon 
the immortality of the soul, offer up his silent and un- 
disturbed prayers for himself, his relatives and friends, 
and the whole human family. The philanthropist can 
there devise and digest plans for the amelioration of the 
human family, undisturbed and in quiet. But, oh! the 



172 THE PROBE. 

thorns that are in the pillow of him who is steeped in 
crime, unless he has seared his conscience, and stran- 
gled reflection. And to the awakened sinner, how 
dreadful is the pillow ! In the darkness of night, he 
seems to see the gleaming fires of vengeance, blazing 
from the throne of an offended Deity. But, from that 
same pillow, he can look to a bleeding Saviour, find 
pardon for all his sins, and bathe his enraptured soul 
in the fountain of redeeming love. On the pillow, the 
good man commends himself to God for safety while he 
sleeps, and awards to Him his gratitude when he wakes. 
On the pillow, nature is refreshed by sleep, let that 
pillow be of feathers, wood, or stone — sleep, the sem- 
blance of death, but the preserver of life. Let all make 
good use of the pillow. 



PRESENCE OF MIND. 

This is a rare and useful quality, constitutional with 
some, and greatly improved in others, by frequent and 
repeated exposure to danger. This is strongly exhibit- 
ed by our Aborigines, who are trained to perils from 
childhood. Long familiarity with persons and things, 
often changes their first appearance materially. The 
principle of self preservation, the first law of nature, is 
the main spring of presence of mind, in time of personal 
danger. A naturally timid person may become so ac- 
customed to danger, that what he once dreaded, lie no 
longer fears. The reverse sometimes occurs — expo- 
sure to perils increases fear and paralyzes all the powers 
of the man. Some men can never be depended on as 
soldiers or sailors — owing to constitutional fear. 



PRESENCE OF MIND. 173 

The man who is blessed with original presence of 
mind, will exhibit it on his first exposure to sudden and 
imminent danger, and the greater the danger, the more 
brightly will this quality shine. At a single glance, 
the peril and the remedy are lighted up before him, as 
with a lightning flash in the darkness of night, and his 
energies of action receive a supernatural vigor, and are 
nerved to double the strength he could exert on ordi- 
nary occasions. At fires, on the water, at raising 
buildings, on the highway, and in numerous other 
situations of peril, I have witnessed feats of strength, 
performed at a moment when life was in jeopardy, that 
clearly proved my assertion. Other instances I have 
witnessed, where safety depended upon a single mo- 
mentary act, not of strength, but the result of pure 
presence of mind — the only thing that could have been 
done to save life, so far as human judgment could de- 
termine. 

From what I have seen, heard related, and read ; I 
am inclined to believe this quality is more common in 
the female than in the male sex ; and so designed by 
an all wise Providence, for the protection of our spe- 
cies, when in a helpless state. An instance occurred 
in India about thirty years ago, of remarkable presence 
of mind in a lady. Several ladies and gentlemen went 
on shore, and had seated themselves near a jungle — 
the lady in question sitting a few feet farther out than 
the rest. Suddenly, a huge tiger sprang at her — she 
instantly spread an umbrella in his face, which so dis- 
comfitted him, that he retreated, and the party escaped 
unhurt. In the history of the early settlement of our 
country, and of the border wars, many thrilling instan- 
ces of presence of mind are recorded, on the part of 

p2 



174 THE PROBE. 

both the settlers and savages. These were not unfre- 
quently exhibited, in a remarkable degree, by females, 
especially mothers. 

In the time of battle, both on land and water, this 
quality has often decided the contest against all pre- 
vious probabilities. Among those who possessed this 
natural gift to a high degree, were Washington and 
Napoleon, men whose dispositions and desires were at 
perfect antipodes to each other. In the midst of the 
din of battle and the clash of arms, at a single glance, 
they could see the position of the contending armies, 
and coolly calculate the advantages to be gained by 
sudden changes and manoeuvres, and as quickly order 
them. A commander who has this quality, has a de- 
cided advantage over one who has not, and, with an 
inferior force, often achieves astonishing victories, es- 
pecially if his officers and men are imbued with the 
same gift. Perry could leave his disabled ship, and, 
calm as a summer morning, pass to another vessel in 
an open boat, through a storm of iron hail, and weave 
for himself a wreath of glory, enduring as the pages of 
history. 

In other spheres of life, not fraught with dangers to 
the body, presence of mind is an indispensable requi- 
site to success. Shining wit is a species of presence 
of mind. 

This quality should be possessed by the judge on the 
bench, the lawyer at the bar, the orator in the forum, 
the minister in the pulpit, who preaches, and does not 
read his sermons, the physician, with whom we trust our 
lives, and the surgeon, in his responsible operations. 

Those who practice humbuggery successfully, are 
found to have a large share of this quality, coupled 



PRESS. 175 

with impudence and dishonesty of a high order. It is 
also possessed, in a preeminent degree, by successful 
blacklegs, pickpockets, burglars, robbers, and others 
who stand high on the calendar of crime. Like other 
strong qualities, when perverted from good to evil pur- 
poses, this gift becomes a dangerous agent with those 
who are corrupt in principle and practice. 

My advice is, to keep cool under all circumstances, 
if possible. Much may be effected by cultivation — we 
should learn to command our feelings and act prudently 
in all the ordinary concerns of life — this will better pre- 
pare us to meet sudden emergencies with calmness and 
fortitude. If we permit our feelings to be ruffled and 
disconcerted in small matters, they will be thrown into 
a whirlwind, when big events overtake us. Our best 
antidote is, implicit confidence in God. 



PRESS. 

No one can too highly appreciate the magic power 
of the Press, or too deeply deprecate its abuses. As 
newspapers have become the great highway of that in- 
telligence, which exerts a controlling power over our 
nation, catering the every-day food of the mind, I will 
confine my remarks to these vehicles of knowledge, and 
their conductors. 

No course of reading is better calculated to show the 
present state of society, than the perusal of the various 
newspapers of the day. The variety and quality, size 
and quantity, have increased to a mighty flood. Com- 
paratively, we have the omnibus, that admits every 
thing for money ; the stage coach, a little more particu- 



176 THE PROBE. 

lar ; and the private coach, neat, cleanly, and uncon- 
taminating. We have the political party sheets, some 
of whose editors are often goaded on by demagogues, 
to the most disgraceful venality; acrimonious, calum- 
niating; assailing persons, more than measures; placing 
party interests above public good. The political dis- 
cussions of the present day, are seldom characterized 
by reason, logic, courtesy, or common sense. This is 
an evil that editors can, and should correct. They can 
give a harmonious, or a discordant tone to society. 
But few of the corps editorial, seem to feel the high 
responsibility resting upon them. Their whole aim 
should be, to enlighten and improve mankind, and 
avoid all publications, calculated to produce ill blood, 
or lead to erroneous conclusions. Their papers should 
be standards of truth, promoters of peace, cementers 
of union, inculcaters of pure morality, disseminators 
of sound logic ; free from personal invectives and ani- 
madversions on private character, and rigidly just, in 
their discussion of public men ; chaste in language, free 
from scandal and calumny; calculated to improve the 
mind, correct the head, and better the heart. Public 
good never requires an editor to expose domestic rela- 
tions, and exaggerate minor faults, promulgate false 
charges, or echo inuendoes. Politics, as conducted by 
some of the leaders of the parties of the present day, 
have become disgusting to the genuine patriot, who 
deems the good of his country, paramount to party tri- 
umph. The old landmarks of '76, have been discarded 
by many, and too frequently are our laws, and even 
revised, and new state constitutions, based on party 
principles ; if not a sandy, at least, a very problematical 
foundation. 



PRESS. 177 

It is a law of nature, that each mass of matter, con- 
tains the materials to effect its own destruction. The 
destructive material once put in motion, the work of 
dissolution is done. Let editors lay this to heart, and, 
if they love our country, and its free institutions as they 
should, they will banish all venality from the press, and 
send forth a pure stream of light ; the rays of burning 
truth, that will purify our political and moral atmo- 
sphere, and make our nation healthful, vigorous, and 
strong. 

The silken cords of our Union have several times 
been strained to their utmost tension. We have an 
accumulating mass of combustible, destructive materi- 
als in our midst. Our bond of union has been put at 
issue by demagogues — the virtue and intelligence of 
the people at large, can alone preserve it. A little 
more steam upon the locomotive of Division — a little 
more fuel from the north, and fire from the south; may 
burst the boiler, and destroy the beautiful engine of our 
Liberty which, if preserved, will yet give Freedom to 
the nations of the old world. Editors, more than any 
other class, can insure the perpetuity of our Union. 

How important, then, that the Press shall be pre- 
served pure and undefiled, and send forth no bitter 
waters, no fire brands, no error. Let every sheet, is- 
sued from the Press, be a bright and shining light, to 
guide us in the path of wisdom and virtue, which is 
the only path of safety. Let editors soar above all 
selfish, personal, and demagogue influences. Let them 
be men of reflecting and analyzing minds ; expansive 
and liberal views ; pure and lofty principles ; men of 
general intelligence ; students of human nature ; phi- 
losophers of mind ; cool, deliberate ; firm in purpose 
23 



178 THE PROBE. 

decisive in action; free as mountain air; wise as a 
serpent, but without venom ; harmless as a dove, but 
noble, soaring, and piercing as the eagle ; discreet and 
disinterested as was the astute Franklin ; patriotic and 
devoted to the glory of our country, as was the immor- 
tal Washington. 

Let them feel, with mountain weight, that upon 
them, more than upon any other class of men, rests 
the high responsibility of maturing the political and 
moral character of the rising generation; of imparting 
a sound and healthy tone to society; of promoting the 
good and prosperity of our beloved country; of con- 
solidating, more firmly, our free institutions; of pre- 
serving the perpetuity of our Union; and of directing 
the final destiny of our nation. More than all, let them 
be men of high moral feeling ; of pure integrity ; the 
champions of virtue and innocence; a terror to evil 
doers, and the advocates of those who do well. We 
may then hope on, and hope ever. 

With such an editorial corps, shedding a benign in- 
fluence on the minds of the increasing millions of this 
land of democracy, our country would continue to rise, 
in majesty sublime; and, as it towered upward, would 
set the eastern continent in a blaze, by the lightning 
flashes of Liberty ; illuminate, and set on fire, the souls 
of the multitudes of slaves in that land of despots, 
deeply galled with chains ; who would burst upon their 
oppressors, like a long suppressed volcano; rise from 
their degradation, like the lion from his lair; demolish 
the thrones of monarchs; sing the requiem of tyrants, 
and assume their native dignity. 

Then, universal Freedom would become the crown- 
ing glory of man; the banner of Liberty would wave, 



PROCRASTINATION. 179 

in triumphant grandeur over the nations of the wide 
world; angels would carry the glad news to high 
Heaven ; every patriot would shout a loud — Amen ! ! ! 



PROCRASTINATION. 



Your gift is princely, but it comes too late, 

And falls like sunbeams on a blasted blossom. — Suckling. 

Procrastination has been appropriately surnamed 
THE THIEF OF TIME, and a bold thief it is, and what is 
worse, goes unwhipped of justice. It is often the 
parent of confusion— sometimes of poverty. Some 
persons appear to have been born half an hour too 
late, and chase that half hour through life, and are 
finally distanced in the race ; for, by procrastinating, 
they are always behind hand in every thing, unless it 
shall be in the pursuit of vice, which is very apt to pro- 
duce a little too much punctuality. An old Saxon 
adage reads thus, Never put off till to-morrow, what may 
be done to-day. The Spaniards have one that reads as 
follows, Never do to-day, what can be put off till to- 
morrow. 

The present condition of the two nations, is a striking 
commentary upon the text ; the natural result of the 
policy of each proverb. Another adage may be cited, 
worthy of note, Punctuality is the life of business. Some 
mechanics, excellent workmen and kind-hearted men, 
lose all their custom, for want of punctuality. Some 
farmers make double work for themselves, and per- 
haps sustain essential damage, by not doing work in 
time. Some let their accounts run, until they are 
drawn into the awful vortex of the law. Some lose 



180 THE PROBE. 

debts, by procrastinating them into the Statute of 
Limitations, which was made as a check on this wide- 
spread evil. Borrowers are great procrastinators. 

Most men postpone making their wills until on a sick 
bed, and often then, until too weak to make them clearly, 
and the lawyers take more of the estate than the heirs. 
Some persons from penuriousness, others from dread 
of medicine, postpone sending for a physician quite too 
long — others send on very trivial occasions. The lat- 
ter practice is the most safe, although sometimes a 
theme of ridicule. 

Some delay vaccination; the smallpox comes — it is 
then too late — the victim dies. Some ministers delay 
preparing their sermons until Saturday — and others do 
not prepare them at all. Without unusually strong 
natural powers, a thorough knowledge of the Bible, 
and the most fervent zeal and piety, they are not pre- 
pared to feed their flock. Others are sadly prone to 
keep the congregation waiting — arriving half an hour 
too late. The impatience of the hearers has soured 
their minds, and they are measurably unprepared to 
receive the word in the love of it. Punctuality in re- 
ligion, is of vast importance. 

The most fatal procrastination is exhibited by those 
who delay a preparation for death. They know not 
how soon it may come — and if unprepared when it 
arrives, their dismal fate is irrevocably fixed. Reader, 
lay this to heart — prepare to meet thy God. 



PROMISES. 181 



PROMISES. 

Custom and fashion have combined to legalize 
promise breaking. Some men, like bad boys, promise, 
to avoid, and pass over an unpleasant emergency, with- 
out an intention of performing ; nay more, they often 
make promises they know they cannot perform. This 
is double lying — they make a false promise, and deceive 
the person to whom the promise is made, unless they 
have established a general reputation, and, by the laws 
of custom and fashion, are licensed liars; in that case 
they would forfeit their standing by performing their 
promises, and be subject to censure by this very large 
fraternity. 

It would save much trouble and disappointment, if 
this numerous class would petition Congress, and obtain 
the passage of a law, as general, and more permanent 
than was the Bankrupt law, to have all notes they shall 
hereafter be called on to sign, to commence thus, 2" 
promise never to pay — then, if conscience should prompt 
them to pay, the disappointment to the creditors would 
not be so disastrous, as under the present improper, 
fictitious, and delusive phraseology. The debtor could 
justify his course in paying, from the example of the 
two spoken of in the New Testament — one promised to 
do, but did not, and was condemned ; the other refused 
to do, but went straightway and performed his duty, 
and was approved. 

A train of disastrous consequences has often rushed 
upon a community, like cars let loose down an inclined 
plane, by one man failing to perform his promise. Mis- 
fortune is sometimes the justifiable cause, but I speak 

Q 



182 THE PROBE. 

of those who promise, knowing they cannot perform, or, 
that the performance will at least be problematical. 
We have a large and increasing number of this class 
of bipeds in the labyrinth of life — cancers upon our 
body politic. Not a few pass along, and appear in style 
too, who live by borrowing and promising, and never 
paying. True, like caterpillars, when they have 
stripped one orchard of its leaves, they are compelled 
to emigrate to another ; and having been well fed at the 
last, they appear "fat and sleek" at the next, which 
gives them new credit, and thus they pass through life, 
and move in fashionable circles, because they can keep 
up appearances, by swindling the industrious, under the 
present wide-spread system of promise making and 
breaking. These are the favored children of fashion, 
a kind reciprocity exists between them — she furnishes 
precedents in high life, to take off the curse of promise 
breaking, and they are thus enabled to be number one 
in her train. 

In matters that are erroneously considered minor, 
promise breaking is very common, and extends to all 
classes, and a large majority of persons. Ten men 
make an appointment to meet at a certain time and 
place — one or two may be punctual; nine may get 
there half an hour after the time fixed, but some one 
generally takes an hour's grace ; thus are the punctual 
robbed of an hour, and probably suffer by it, for punc- 
tual men are systematic, and have particular business 
for every hour. This is a serious evil. A friend makes 
an appointment to call on his or her friend at a par- 
ticular time — the time arrives, the call is anxiously, 
perhaps impatiently waited for — the promise is broken, 
and not (infrequently, ill blood has been the conse- 



PRUDENCE. 183 

quence. One family promises to visit another on a 
certain day ; extra money and time are expended to 
give the entertainment — the promise is broken, and, 
perhaps, their friendship too. But the vilest, most 
brutal, and most hellish promise breakers, are those 
demons of men, who promise marriage to an innocent 
and unsuspecting girl, and then desert, if not ruin her. 
Such brutes should be caged with scorpions, fed on 
aquafortis, and drenched with prussic acid ; a mild 
punishment, compared with the enormity of the crime. 
Finally, let those who have made promises to the 
great Jehovah, either by or without a profession of reli- 
gion, beware how they break them. It cannot be done 
with impunity. He is not man, broken promises to 
Him, will be fearfully punished. 



PRUDENCE. 



Prudence is the combination of wisdom, reason, 
discretion, and common sense ; the offspring of a clear 
head, a correct judgment, and a good heart. It regards 
the past, the present, and the future ; time and eter- 
nity ; never shrinks from known duty ; acts with cool- 
ness and decision ; investigates impartially, reasons 
correctly, and condemns reluctantly. The prudent 
man meets the dispensations of Providence calmly ; 
views mankind in the clear sunshine of charity ; is 
guided by the golden rule in his dealings ; cherishes 
universal philanthropy ; and soars, in peerless majesty, 
above the trifling vanities and corrupting vices of the 
world, and lives in constant readiness to enter the 
mansions of bliss beyond this vale of tears. 



184 THE PROBE. 

It is not the consequent result of shining talents, 
brilliant genius, or great learning. It has been truly 
said by Dr. Young, and demonstrated by thousands, 
With the talents of an angel, a man may be a fool. A 
profound scholar may astonish the world with his 
scientific researches and discoveries ; pour upon man- 
kind a flood of light; illuminate and enrapture the im- 
mortal mind with the beauties of expounded revelation ; 
point erring man to the path of rectitude ; direct the 
anxious mind to the Saviour's love ; and render him- 
self powerless in the cause of truth, by imprudent and 
inconsistent practices. 

" How empty learning, and how vain is art ; 
Save when it guides the life, and mends the heart." 

One grain of prudence is of more value than a cra- 
nium crowded with unbridled genius, or a flowing 
stream of vain wit. It is the real ballast of human 
life. Without it, dangers gather thick and fast around 
the frail bark of man, and hurry him on to destruction. 
The shores of time are lined with wrecks, driven before 
the gale of imprudence. 

Prudence may be urged upon the reader negatively, 
for there are but few, who do not better know, than 
they practise this virtue. 

It is not prudence for children and youth, to disre- 
gard the good counsel of their parents and teachers ; 
contracting habits, calculated to lead them into crime, 
and destroy their future happiness and usefulness. 

It is not prudence in parents, to permit their children 
to grow up in idleness and ignorance, pursuing, unre- 
strained, the wild inclinations of corrupt nature — 
pleasures, that will lead to corruption ; vice, that will 



PRUDENCE. 185 

involve them in lasting disgrace and ruin. A high 
responsibility rests on parents to train their children 
properly. The mutual comfort of both, the salvation 
of their souls, and the salvation of our country, depend 
much upon the manner in which the rising generation 
is trained. 

It is not Prudence to contract sudden intimacies with 
strangers. Many wolves are wandering about in sheep's 
clothing; with long faces, smooth tongues, and demon 
hearts ; seeking for some unwary lamb, whose jugular 
they can tap, before their true character is known, or 
even suspected. Genuine coin loses nothing by being 
tested — genuine good hearts will not depreciate, by 
being proved in the crucible of truth-telling time. You 
can extend the hand of charity, without mingling souls. 

Hasty, or compulsory marriages are seldom prudent 
and rarely happy. After the blissful knot is tied, it is 
Prudence for the twain to do all in their power to ren- 
der each other happy ; to both pull the same way, care- 
fully avoiding cold indifference, cruel neglect, angry 
words, discordant views, and unnecessary crosses ; for 
love, like china, once broken, is hard to be repaired 
— like the caged bird, once fled, it is hard to be re- 
gained. 

It is not Prudence, but base injustice, to bear false 
witness against our neighbor, either by petty scandal, 
open slander, or willful perjury. Slander is more to be 
dreaded than the cholera. It is like a sulphureous fire 
or a charcoal gas, that suffocates as we slumber ; a 
scorpion in the grass, inflicting an unsuspected, but 
deadly sting. 

It is not Prudence, but cruel, to trifle with the feel- 
ings of others, by inspiring hopes only to be blasted, 
24 q2 



186 



THE PROBE. 



and making promises only to bo broken ; more espe- 
cially, if a female heart is concerned. 

It is not Prudence to travel in the wide-beaten path 
of the pernicious credit system of the present day, by 
which debtor and creditor are not unfrequently involv- 
ed in mutual ruin, and sink, embraced, in the slough 
of poverty. 

It is not Prudence to leave a certain business, be- 
cause its gains are slow, and embark in another kind, 
to which you are an entire stranger. Nor is it Pru- 
dence to rush into wild and visionary speculations, be- 
cause one out of a hundred may have succeeded. Slow 
and sure, is an old and sound adage. 

It is not Prudence to place ourselves on the rack of 
imaginary wants, unnecessary disquietudes, and dis- 
contented minds ; because we are not placed in the 
palace of fortune, and are not able to follow all the 
wild freaks of ever-varying and fickle fashion, and 
make as magnificent a show, or as great a dash, as 
many who live in splendor, until they dash their for- 
tunes to pieces, and perhaps that of a confiding friend. 
Our ancestors were plain, frugal, temperate, and happy. 

It is not Prudence to pine under misfortunes or dis- 
appointments. Never give up the ship while a plank 
floats within your reach. Industry and perseverance 
have, and ever can, perform wonders. 

It is not Prudence to indulge in procrastination, 
crowding to-morrow with the business of to-day. Put- 
ting off the payment and collection of debts, often leads 
to a lawsuit and the loss of friendship. 

It is not Prudence to take for granted all we hear, 
or tell it to others. Nor is it Prudence to be blown 
nhout by every wind of doctrine, or fresh breeze that 



QUACKS. 187 

passes over society. We should be wise in design, 
firm in purpose, and decisive in action. 

It is not Prudence to make politics a profession — the 
business is overstocked — the field is overrun with 
weeds ; if you enter the arena, take a pick-axe and 
pruning-hook with you. The Augean stable needs 
cleansing — if you are a Hercules, go ahead. 

It is not Prudence to enter your name on the list 
of office seekers. — This field is full of brambles and 
thorns. — Over the avenue of its entrance, Uncertain- 
ty, is painted in glowing capitals — and over the outer 
gate, Disappointment, is written with the ink of tears. 

It is not Prudence to wrangle about disputed points 
in modern theology — the Bible is plain, simple, sub- 
lime, complete ; and so easily understood,, so far as the 
salvation of the soul is concerned, that the wayfaring 
man, though a fool, need not err. 

In short, to be Prudent, is to shun all evil, practise 
virtue, live in constant communion with God, and ever 
be in readiness to throw off our mortal coil, and take 
our exit, calmly and peacefully, " to that country, from 
whose bourne no traveller returns." 



QUACKS. 

Science seems to increase, rather than diminish the 
number of Quacks among us, on the same principle 
that an increased number of solvent banks, increases 
the amount of counterfeit bank notes. I apply the 
term to all professions, not to physic alone. A very 
astute writer has imparted a word of consolation to 
Quack doctors, by recommending the employment of 



188 THE PROBE. 

a Quack who can cure, but cannot explain a disease, 
rather than the scientific physician, who can explain, 
but cannot cure it. The isolated fact is true, but the 
principle is not susceptible of general application, and 
is therefore unsound. 

Quack doctors need no encouragement of this sort — 
their self conceit and impudence often enable them to 
outstrip the man of science. And they do sometimes 
perform wonderful cures — for many diseases are seated 
in the imagination, instead of the physical organs, and 
yield to quackery, more readily than to science. I 
once knew a very celebrated country physician, who 
always carried rye dough pills, which, aided by water 
gruel, strongly sweetened with West India molasses, 
effected astonishing cures. He was master of pathology. 

We have two classes of literary Quacks, with a pro- 
lific generic organization of species, that swarm our 
country like locusts. The one has erudition but no 
genius ; the other, volubility, but no depth. The first 
presents us with secondary sense, the other, with foam- 
ing nonsense. The one deserves respect for honest 
intention — the other, pity for weakness, and contempt, 
for impudence. The former may effect some good — the 
latter, little harm, but great annoyance. 

All preachers are Quacks, who add to, or diminish 
from that infallible book — the Bible, or go out of the 
record. 

We have mechanical Quacks, who consist of three 
classes. The first has genius not matured by experi- 
ence and discretion, but ready to take charge of steam 
engines, and all machinery. The second has experi- 
ence, but no genius, and is a mere machine to be ope- 
rated upon. The third has genius, unconcentrated ; 



QUARRELS. 189 

men who are jack at all trades and master of none, 
like Handy Andy, they always get hold of the wrong 
tool, and use it the wrong way. Many lives, and vast 
amounts of property have been sacrificed by these 
Quacks. 

We also have Quack humbugs, yet too desultory to 
be classed, who endeavor to follow in the wake of the 
Simon Pure, and effect a grand failure. A successful 
humbug has three advantages — it puts money in the 
pocket of the humbugger, exhilarates the humbugged 
for the time being, and puts them on their guard 
against future imposition. The Quack humbug effects 
neither, and is sometimes honored with a dress of tar 
and feathers — I say honored, because real humbugs, 
much less Quacks, are too low for the waste of time 
and material, and should be kicked out of community 
by cripples on crutches. 

Finally, this is a free, as well as a great country, and 
those who have Quack minds, will live and die under 
the potent influence of quackery, in spite of truth and 
science. 



QUARRELS. 



Dissension, like small streams, at first begun, 

Scarce seen, they rise and gather as they run. — Garth. 

The little eddies of wind that set the dust in com- 
motion, are precursors of a thunder storm in hot weath- 
er, and of a strong wind always ; so Quarrels often 
precede a thundering time where two high-tempered 
persons are concerned, and, as the Hoosiers say, a 
right smart sprinkle of wind, in minds of calmer tern- 



190 THE PROBE. 

perament. What renders the matter mure disastrous, 
they uniformly occur between those who are on terms 
of intimacy, perhaps lovers, and not unfrequently, the 
married pair. To the disgrace of human nature, they 
are generally based on trifles, not worthy of a passing 
notice. 

In the second chapter of the Apocryphal Book of 
Tobit, is a case to the point. Anna, the wife of Tobit, 
during his absence, obtained a kid. When he came 
home, instead of kindly inquiring how she came by it, 
he threw out some uncourteous hints concerning its 
acquisition, which drew from her the retort, that he 
was no better than he should be. The two eddies of 
anger met, and quite a storm ensued. As is usual in 
Quarrels, the old man first committed a wrong, the old 
woman put another wrong to it — and two wrongs never 
made a right. If the wife had remained cool and met 
the fire of the husband's anger with kindness and affec- 
tion, he would have flashed in the pan, and no explo- 
sion would have occurred. 

To preserve the current of connubial felicity placid 
and serene, great caution is necessary. A harsh word, 
a sour look, a trifling neglect, an unkind hint, an unjust 
suspicion ; often raise a tornado, that makes the whole 
house shake, and often repeated, will shake the strong- 
est love. But one should get angry at a time — both is 
two too many. 

Among neighbors, mere trifling differences some- 
times amount to tedious and expensive lawsuits. The 
intrusion of a pig, the killing of a chicken, the picking 
of a little fruit, often engender a lasting hate. The 
dispositions of such people are like Locofoco matches, 
.hey are liable to take fire from their own friction. 



READERS. 191 

Much may be done to remedy these evils, if all 
would resolve, and put the resolve into execution, to 
curb their tempers, bear and forbear, soar above tri- 
fles ; be kind, courteous, and act the human — not the 
brute. The most efficient remedy, above all others, to 
cure the evil, is, to live in the full and constant enjoy- 
ment of religion. A profession, merely, only makes the 
matter worse, for human nature and religion are both 
disgraced. Cold and lukewarm professors, who happen 
to differ, are the bitterest quarrellers to be found, es- 
pecially if they belong to the same church. Hypocrites 
are still worse, for they cover themselves with a cloven 
infallibility, that is as dangerous of approach, as spirit 
gas with a lighted candle, or gunpowder with a fire- 
brand. Pure, active, and every-day religion, trans- 
forms our nature more and more, and gives us an in- 
creasing power over the infirmities flesh is heir to. To 
profess religion, and not adorn that profession by living 
up to it, is a dangerous experiment. 



READERS. 



Lacon divides Readers into three classes — those 
who read to think ; those who read to write ; and those 
who read to talk. The first is rare, the second more 
common, the third, the great majority, but most super- 
ficial — treating bobks, as some do great men — if they 
are so fortunate as to see their faces once, without 
even hearing them speak, they immediately boast an 
intimate acquaintance. A book of paragraphs, or 
short essays, is the only one likely to benefit such per- 
sons, and it is for them that I particularly write. The 
great quantity now afloat, like a great variety of dishes 



192 THE PROBE. 

on a table, bewilders all but the discerning and system- 
atic ; hence, books of an argumentative and logical 
character, are purchased by such persons, if at all, for 
show and not for use, that wise men may suppose 
them wise, from viewing their library. For the last 
twenty years, more than before, the taste of a large 
portion of the reading community has been vitiated by 
the influx of highly-spiced books of fiction, feeding the 
imagination, without informing the judgment, exciting 
the sympathies, without mending the heart. So far has 
this taste affected community, that some have deemed 
it necessary, and have actually supplied sabbath schools 
with books of fiction. Let the responsibility be theirs, 
not mine. The judgment day will tell the result. 

To read with profit, the books must be of a kind 
calculated to inform the mind, correct the head, and 
better the heart. These books should be read with 
attention, understood, remembered, and their precepts 
put in practice. It depends less on number, than 
quality. One good book, well understood and remem- 
bered, is of more use than to have a superficial know- 
ledge of fifty, equally sound. Books of the right 
character produce reflection, and induce investigation. 
They are a mirror of mind, for mind to look in. 

Of all the books ever written, no one contains so in- 
structive, so sublime, and so great a variety, as the 
Bible. Read the essay under that head, and then 
resolve to read three chapters each day, for one year, 
and you will find realities there, more wonderful than 
any pictures of fiction, that have been drawn by the 
finest pencillings of the master hand of the most prac- 
tised novel writer, who has shone in the dazzling galaxy 
of ancient or modern literature. 



RETALIATION. 193 

RETALIATION. 

When the Sun of Righteousness rose, in all the ma- 
jesty of light and glory, re-illuming the immortal mind 
with its animating, soul-cheering rays, the opprobrious 
law of Retaliation was expunged from the record, but 
not from human nature. To this foul blot upon the 
fair escutcheon of man, as it came from the clean 
hands of his Creator, we trace a dark catalogue of 
evils, from the puerile quarrels in the nursery, up to 
the most sanguinary conflicts on the field of false 
honour, and the barbarous battle-ground of national 
armies. Its victims are found in all the avenues of 
private and public life. Even brute animals have 
been sacrificed at its baleful shrine, by demons in hu- 
man shape — bipeds, so deeply dyed in the wool by de- 
grading baseness, that they had no courage to move in 
a higher sphere. All such automatons of the devil, 
should be enclosed in a case of asafostida, and trans- 
ported on a thunder-cloud beyond 54° 40'. 

Retaliation not only demands " an eye for an eye, 
and a tooth for a tooth," but would gladly go the 
whole pig, and settle its accounts by the rule of geo- 
metrical progression. The man who indulges this un- 
holy propensity, is liable to dethrone reason, insult 
justice, thwart the design of his creation, deprive him- 
self of the endearing consolations of that love which 
is Ihe crowning attribute of the great Jehovah, and 
violates the heavenly injunctions of the immaculate 
Redeemer. 

Retaliation is put in motion by the fire of anger, fed 
by the fuel of revenge, fanned by the wind of false 
pride, propelled by the locomotive of inconsistency, 
with duplicity for fireman, old Chaos the engineer, and 



194 RETALIATION. 

Lucifer the conductor. Such a motley crew cannot 
render passengers comfortable in passing over the rail- 
road of life. And then the fare — how expensive, and 
the food — how bitter. Accumulating trouble, increas- 
ing vexation, wasting envy, tormenting jealousy, lost 
friendships, unyielding animosities, dismembered fami- 
lies, distracted churches, protracted law-suits, biting 
anguish, keen remorse, inveterate malice, burning re- 
venge, fights, riots, mobs, wars, and sometimes nations 
have been lost in the awful vortex of the terminus de- 
pot of this hydra. 

We have a remedy in the Golden Rule — a rule pro- 
fessedly admired by all, but practised only by a few, 
and not always by them. Its universal practical appli- 
cation, would drive back Retaliation to its original 
Pandora box, and relieve society from one of the most 
efficient disturbers of peace and harmony. Let min- 
isters and laymen, at all times and under all circum- 
stances, practise the forbearance and charity inculca- 
ted by the gospel of Christ — then their example will 
do much towards stripping this monster of its crown 
of thorns and plume of thistles. It is under the melt- 
ing sunbeams of the religion of the Cross, shining in 
all the beauty of native loveliness, without an inter- 
vening cloud of error, that sullied human nature must 
be brightened, its tarnished lustre renovated, its injur- 
ed character redeemed, and the soul prepared for 
heaven. 

Let charity — broad and universal, pervade the 
whole human family — then a blow will be struck for 
the King of kings, that will resound through the 
wilderness of mind, and cause it to bud and blossom 
like the rose. Then the family of man will be rap- 
idly evangelized and made free in the fraternizing 



REPROOF. 195 

Gospel of the Word — a Gospel, untrammelled by the 
inventions and dogmas of men — a Gospel, crowned 
with all the glory of original simplicity and heavenly 
love. 



REPROOF. 



Do not, with too severe 
A harshness, chide the error of his love, 
Lest, like a crystal stream, which, unoppos'd, 
Runs with a smooth brow gently in its course, 
Being stopp'd of the sudden, his calm nature riot 
Into a wild fury, and persist in his intended fancy. 

Glopthome. 

To be able to administer reproof advantageously 
and successfully, is no ordinary gift, and one more to 
be desired by the active philanthropist, than the laurels 
of the hero, or the honors of civic fame. Men must be 
led — they have too much of the spirit that entered the 
swine, to be drove. Reprove with kindness and gen- 
tleness, is the injunction. 

The first requisite for one who assumes the high 
prerogative of a Reprover, is a naturally kind heart, 
filled with the milk of human kindness, united with a 
clear head to discern, and sound discretion to direct in 
action at all times. The next is a thorough know- 
ledge of human nature, and the manner it is moulded 
and affected by the multiform circumstances of life. 
To arrive at correct conclusions on this point, we must 
first become well acquainted with ourselves, and ex- 
plore, impartially, the labyrinthian mazes of our own 
minds. Time, manner, and place ; are the next con- 
siderations. To crown all these, our souls should be 



196 THE PROBE. 

imbued with the religion of the cross, and feel, deeply, 
the value of the immortal spirit of man. 

With these qualifications, all shining harmoniously 
in one person, that person is prepared to eclipse all 
earthly fame, as a benefactor of mankind. To snatch 
one immortal, from the deadly coil of the serpent of 
sin, is an act that will resound and echo through hea- 
ven, where Greek and Roman fame will never be re- 
hearsed. To save a soul from eternal death ! how 
sublime the thought ! how noble the object ! how glori- 
ous the act ! 

From the government of children in the nursery, up 
to the man of low, medium, and high degree ; let the 
above rules be observed, in giving reproof — incalculable 
good will result from their observance. Let the parent, 
the husband, the wife, the friend, the moral reformer, 
the layman, the minister- -all, be kind, affectionate, 
prudent, discreet, and faithful; in giving Reproof, look- 
ing well to the time, place, and manner. These rules 
are as applicable to public, as private Reprovers. 

Finally, ever bear in mind, that pure motives must 
impel to action, ardent prayer should warm the heart 
— and a firm reliance on God to bless our exertions, 
will give a zest to every effort, for He alone can crown 
the labor with success. 



REVENGE. 197 



REVENGE. 

For this he still lives on, careless of all 

The wreaths that glory on his path lets fall; 

For this alone exists — like lightning fire, 

To speed one bolt of vengeance — then expire. — Moore. 

The man who permits Revenge to reign triumphant 
in his bosom, is in as miserable, and in a more danger- 
ous situation than one who has the hydrophobia. He 
frequently becomes a murderer — thus two or more lives 
are sacrificed, instead of one — disease destroys the 
latter ; the murderous hand and the gallows destroy 
the others. Hydrophobia warns, and enables us to 
guard against danger ; revenge strikes in the dark, 
without notice. The former paralyzes the mental powers 
by its paroxysms, and is excusable — the latter pro- 
duces rage as violent, aided by increased mental vigor 
to plan and execute, aggravating criminality. The 
one is sometimes cured by medicine — the latter, only 
by sacrifice. The one is communicated ; the other, an 
inherent passion, indulged without excuse. The one 
has its moments of repose at intervals ; the other preys 
upon the mind like a Promethean vulture. The course 
of Revenge is right onward ; it follows the object of its 
vengeance with the perseverance of a lion, and is held 
in check only by self love, based upon the first law of 
nature, self preservation. The dread of punishment 
for overt acts of violence, is the most powerful shield, 
to guard us from the attacks of Revenge. Self love, 
not the most amiable passion of our nature, creates 
fear, which, like the safety valve of a steam engine, 
regulates the steam generated by Revenge. Were it 

r2 



198 THE PROBE. 

not for this wise provision of our Creator, we should 
have an increased and increasing number of explosions 
in society, retaliation would increase resentment, acts 
of violence would be multiplied, anarchy would mount 
its discordant throne, peace and order would cease. 
A conflagration would be produced in the moral world, 
which, like a fire in the natural, would increase the 
wind, and this would give a tenfold impetus to the fire. 
Revenge rests only in the bosom of fools. Hence the 
benefits arising from laws punishing wrongs and crimes, 
if faithfully administered, and not paralyzed by an inju- 
dicious exercise of the pardoning power. 

Like all other bad passions, the fruits of Revenge are 
bitter — its projectile force recoils on its projector ; like 
the scorpioji enclosed within a circle of fire, it stings 
itself to death. Like other vile passions, it can and 
should be subdued — no man should permit the sun to 
go down upon his wrath. By kindness and forgiveness 
we may obtain a far more glorious and triumphant vic- 
tory over our enemies, and enjoy the unspeakable 
happiness of obeying the precept, and imitating the 
example of our immaculate Redeemer, who closed his 
earthly career, praying his Father in Heaven to forgive 
his murderers, for they knew not what they did. 

Revenge produces a maniac insanity, and converts 
its victims into demons, exposing them to danger, and 
rendering them dangerous in community. It is a burn- 
ing fire, searing all the noblest powers of the soul. 



REVOLUTION. ] 99 

REVOLUTION. 

A SCRAP OF AMERICAN HISTORY. 

Many of the bold and daring feats of the " times 
that tried men's souls," have escaped the historian's 
pen, and are only known to the relatives and acquaint- 
ances of those who were the acting heroes of many 
thrilling adventures and daring deeds. As they fall by 
the ruthless hand of death, the corroding tooth of time 
robs their history of its richest features, and but a faint 
tribute is paid to their merits by after generations. 

The animated countenance, the strong emotion, the 
trembling voice, the bending frame, the furrowed cheek, 
the heaving bosom, the silent tear, of an old soldier ; 
impart an interest to his story that no pen can por- 
tray, no eloquence imitate. His adventures, his toils, 
his sufferings, his hair-breadth escapes, his struggles 
for victory and liberty; are all indelibly imprinted on 
his mind, and are ever fresh in his recollection. His 
patriotic feelings expire only with life ; his soul is en- 
raptured with the same enthusiasm, that impelled the 
heroes of '76 to break the chains of slavery, and drive 
from our country the last vestige of kingly power. His 
memory is on the wing, and runs back, with lightning 
quickness, and grasps the scenes of the Revolution, as 
if they had occurred but yesterday. His relation of 
"battles fought and victories won," is enlivened by the 
fascinating charms of a pure original, producing an im- 
pression upon his listeners, more chaste and enchant- 
ing, than can be imparted by the ablest pen, or most 
finished eulogist. 



200 THE PROBE. 

Among the veterans of the American Revolution 
were two noble and brave spirits, whose thrilling stories 
were deeply impressed on my mind when a boy. Un- 
connected with the army, called to protect the new 
settlements in a confined interior, their names were not 
entered upon the public roll, and have not appeared 
upon the historic page. Their services and fame were 
known, and highly appreciated by those around them, 
and their memories are still held in high veneration in 
my native neighborhood, where their bones lie, beneath 
the clods of the valley. 

Their names were Harper and Murphy, the latter an 
Irishman. They were among the pioneers who settled 
at the head of the Delaware river, which rises from a 
fountain of pure water, called by the Indians, lake 
Utstayantho. Around this lake is a small valley, then 
the central rendezvous of the savage tribes, whose 
walks extended from the Mohawk in the north, far 
down the Delaware, Lacka waxen. Lackawana, and 
the Susquehanna, in the south. It was an isolated 
spot, surrounded by mountains and hills ; covered with 
lofty pines, and a variety of evergreens. Its scenery 
was romantic and beautiful ; formed by nature for a 
retreat, such as the rude children of the forest suppose 
the Great Spirit delights to dwell in. 

For years, perhaps for centuries, the lords of the 
forest built their council fires in the amphitheatre of 
Utstayantho. There they manufactured their stone 
pots, their flint arrow points, and their bows. There 
they smoked the pipe of peace, performed the terrific 
war dance, and tortured their unfortunate prisoners. 
There they saluted the white man as brother, and mur- 
dered him as a foe. There, many of their boldest war- 



REVOLUTION. 201 

riors fell, beneath the avenging hand of the enraged 
inhabitants. There, I first drew my vital breath, there 
I grew to manhood, there I have ploughed up the bones 
of those who were slightly buried ; and there I have 
often listened to the tale that follows. 

At the commencement of the American Revolution, 
the Indian tribes in that section of country, were in- 
fluenced by two tories, Brandt and McDonald, to enlist 
in favor of the British. Their tomahawks and scalp- 
ing knives were soon bathed in the blood of mothers 
and babes, as well as in that of husbands and fathers. 
In the spring of '77, they murdered several families, 
and took a number of prisoners. Among the latter, 
were Harper and Murphy. As these were the leading 
men of the settlement, it was decided to take them down 
the Delaware about sixty miles, to an Indian station, 
then called Aquago, now Deposit. They were put in 
charge of eleven warriors, who started with their victims, 
pinioned and bound. The second night, fatigued with 
their march, they all laid down before a fire, and the 
savages were soon soundly asleep. A supply of rum 
during the day, and a hearty drink as they stretched 
themselves out to sleep, rendered their stupor more 
complete than it otherwise would have been. This 
opportunity could not pass unimproved by such men as 
Harper and Murphy. Although closely wedged between 
the Indians, they rose so cautiously as not to awake 
them. They soon relieved each other from the bark 
thongs with which their arms were bound, and hesitated, 
for a moment, whether to flee, or attempt to despatch 
the cruel foes. They quickly decided upon the latter ; 
removed the arms to some distance, and, with toma- 
hawk in hand, commenced the fearful work. Each 
26 



202 THE PROBE. 

blow was sure and dec;) — a messenger of death. So pro- 
found was their sleep, and so rapid the work of blood, 
that eight of the savages were killed, before the other 
three awoke. They attempted to rise to their feet, 
but two of them met the deadly blow of the two cham- 
pions, and fell beneath their own weapons. The other 
escaped, and fled to Aquago, to tell the sad news. The 
two heroes then took each a gun and all the ammunition, 
secreted the other guns, and with some parched corn 
and dried venison, guided by the polar star, commenced 
their journey back, keeping near the river until day- 
light, when they took the ridge to avoid meeting In- 
dians, and in the evening reached a small settlement, 
within ten miles of their home. They were met with 
joy unspeakable, as the news of their capture had al- 
ready reached this point; and with almost as much sur- 
prise, as if they had risen from the dead. 

When taken, they were in the woods, manufacturing 
maple sugar, and knew not that their families had fallen 
beneath the savage hand. Imagine, you who are hus- 
bands and fathers, the bitter anguish of their souls, when 
informed, that their wives and children had been butch- 
ered, by a party led on by the bloody Brandt. 

The next day, the most of the men left the block- 
house, and escorted them home, there to behold a scene, 
too awful for reflection, too horrible for description, too 
painful for humanity. Murphy had two children, one 
two years old, the other three months. The eldest, had 
apparently fled under the bed, and had been pulled out 
far enough to be tomahawked and scalped, and then 
left. The mother, a beautiful woman of about twenty- 
two, seemed not to have attempted an escape, as her 
hands and arms were much cut, and her body in the 



REVOLUTION. 203 

back part of the room. She had received three blows 
in the , head with the tomahawk, one of which penetra- 
ted the brain. Her cranium was literally bare, that 
her fine head of hairs might be all saved. Across her 
lifeless body lay her lovely babe, smiling in death. It 
had been finished by a single blow, and was not muti- 
lated. Low murmuring execrations were whispered, 
the tears of sympathy flowed from all but Murphy; he 
stood silent, with dry and glaring eyes, immovably fixed 
on the wife of his youth, and the pledges of their love. 
Dark and dreadful was the storm that gathered in his 
convulsed bosom. At length he took his murdered in- 
fant in his arms, and, with a high and desperate re- 
solve, swore to be revenged or die, and sealed the vow 
with a kiss upon the cold cheek of the little innocent. 
How fearfully his vengeance was poured out upon the 
red man, the sequel will tell. 

A rude grave was then prepared, lined with bark, in 
place of a coffin, and the mournful duties of sepulture 
closed the bloody scene. The children were placed in 
the arms of their mother, upon the bosom that had so 
often nourished them. To this day, that grave is moist- 
ened with the tears of visitors, who have been informed 
of their tragic end. 

They then proceeded to the dwelling of Mr. Harper, 
and found it empty. His wife was an amiable young 
lady, only nineteen years of age, with an infant at her 
breast. She had attempted to escape to the woods, 
and was overtaken a few rods from the house, where 
she and her babe had been massacred, and their bodies 
had subsequently been torn to pieces by wolves, or 
some carnivorous animal. This spectacle was more 
heart-rending than the other. The husband wrung his 



204 THE PROBE. 

hands in anguis'/, as his friends deposited the scattered 
fragments beneath the clods of the valley. 

He also made a firm resolve to drive the foe from 
the neighborhood, but it was not the maniac revenge 
of Murphy. His resolution was as determined, his 
purpose as fixed, but his designs were more expansive. 
A block-house was immediately erected, to which the 
surviving settlers all removed. This done, immediate 
measures were taken, to meet the attack that would 
probably be made speedily, to avenge the death of those 
Indians, who had been killed by the two prisoners. 
Murphy proceeded to Schoharie to obtain assistance 
from the fort, and Harper went to Albany, and obtained 
a captain's commission, authorizing him to organize a 
company from the contiguous settlements. 

Colonel Hager, who commanded the fort at Scho- 
harie, immediately accompanied Murphy, with ninety 
men, to Utstayantho. When in the narrows, about two 
miles east of that place, the advance guard retreated 
hastily, having met a large body of warriors, fresh 
painted, and advancing furiously. One of the guard, a 
brother of the colonel, had been so closely pursued, as 
to receive a wound in the shoulder with a tomahawk, 
when, turning suddenly around, he plunged his bayonet 
through the body of the Indian. Mr. Hager has pointed 
out the precise spot to me where it occurred, being at 
the junction of two small streams that empty into 
the lake. 

The colonel quickly formed his men in order of 
battle. Waiting some time for the approach of the 
enemy, and hearing nothing from them, he despatched 
Murphy, with five men, to reconnoitre their position, 
following, with the main body, about forty rods in the 



REVOLUTION. 205 

rear. When within half a mile of the lake, as they 
passed out of the narrows, three of the enemy were 
seen, retreating, one of whom fell, beneath the unerring 
aim of the enraged Irishman. This was the signal for 
the colonel to rush on, and in a few minutes, he was 
engaged with the whole savage force. Murphy took 
his station behind a large pine tree, within twelve rods 
of the Indians, who lay in a ravine, directly below him. 
For a moment, they directed their whole fire to that 
point, and pierced the tree with more than fifty bullets, 
many of which I cut out, after I was old enough to use 
an axe. In front, he discovered the very savage who 
had escaped from him and Harper, to Aquago. He 
raised his rifle to his face, called the red man by name 
— the call was heard by his antagonist, who gave a 
terrific whoop, and fell lifeless to the ground. At that 
moment a charge was ordered — with the force of an 
avalanche the men rushed on, and, in less than three 
minutes, the Indians took to flight. A part of them, 
with Brandt, fled down the Delaware, and a part down 
the Charlotte, a stream that empties into the Susque- 
hanna. Four of Colonel Hager's men were killed, and 
about thirty of Brandt's allies. 

Having left the fort in charge of a small force, the 
colonel prepared to return; and buried his dead in one 
common grave, on the peak of a round bluff near 
the lake, whose bones I aided in removing to a more 
proper place of repose, about forty years ago. The 
account of this battle, I had from Colonel Hager, as well 
as from several of his men. 

In the mean time, Captain Harper was returning by 
the way of Cherry Valley, deemed the safest route. As 
he was crossing the hills west of the white settlements 

S 



206 THE PROBK. 

on the Delaware, he came suddenly in contact with a 
party of fifteen Indians, who had been at the recent 
battle. To flee, he knew would probably be certain 
death ; he therefore advanced boldly, gave them his 
hand, and succeeded in impressing them with the be- 
lief that he was their friend. Their leader he knew 
well, but fortunately was not recognised in turn. He 
learned from them the disasters of the battle at the 
lake, and found they were on their way to a white set- 
tlement on the Susquehanna, probably for the purpose 
of murder. He then shook hands with them, and hast- 
ened to a settlement a few miles distant, where a num- 
ber of armed men were manufacturing maple sugar. 
Presuming that the savages would encamp at the foot 
of the hill, on the bank of Schenevas creek, the cap- 
tain had no trouble in persuading the sugar makers to 
accompany him in pursuit of the company of savages 
he had met. 

With two day's provision, they immediately set out 
in pursuit, and just before day, the next morning, gain- 
ed the top of the hill above the Indian encampment, 
where the red men were all asleep. Captain Harper 
and his men descended, forded the creek, succeeded in 
taking away the guns of the enemy, without rousing 
them, and took the whole of them prisoners, and safely 
lodged them in a fort a few miles distant. Learning 
from them, that they had left a party of nineteen in the 
Charlotte valley, Captain Harper and his men deter- 
mined to pursue them. They replenished their provi- 
sions, commenced their march, and, on the second day, 
struck a fresh Indian trail. They advanced rapidly, and, 
towards evening, heard the report of a gun some distance 
in front. They then halted to refresh themselves, and 



REVOLUTION. 207 

wait until the savage foes should encamp for the night. 
Soon after dusk, the captain and his men advanced 
with great caution, and, in about an hour, discovered 
the fire of the encampment. Hours passed slowly on, 
and still several of the red men did not lie down. At 
last, all but one, seemed to be asleep. A slow and 
cautious advance was now commenced. Each man 
was instructed, in case the Indians were roused, to take 
his station behind a tree, and not to fire, until the enemy 
came near enough to be reached by the muzzle of the 
gun. They all examined the priming of their guns, 
and fixed their bayonets firmly. A deep silence per- 
vaded the dense forest of hemlock and pine. Not a 
breeze was perceptible, not a leaf was moving on the 
trees. The moments were full of suspense and deep 
anxiety. The recent murder of his wife and babe, 
nerved the captain for the combat. Courage, fearless 
and strong, urged every man to death or victory. 

They drew nearer and nearer. The quick ear of the 
wakeful savage soon caught the sound of their foot- 
steps on the dry leaves. A piercing war whoop started 
his companions on their feet. They seized their arms, 
and stood ready for action. For a moment, no motion 
agitated the parties, but the beating heart, and the 
purple current, rushing through their veins with a ten- 
fold velocity. At length the savages commenced a 
slow, cautious movement, towards the captain and his 
men. They were between the fire and the avengers 
of blood, each of whom marked his victim. Sure and 
deadly was the aim. Twelve of the warriors fell at 
the first fire, and three were mortally wounded. The 
sugar makers advanced, and surrounded the survivors. 
A short and desperate conflict ensued — the nineteen 



208 THE PROBE. 

savages, in a few moments, were all locked in the em- 
brace of death. The captain, and four of his men were 
wounded, but not dangerously. This tragedy was 
closed about one o'clock in the morning. After dress- 
ing the wounded in the best manner they could, they 
took some refreshment and rest, and the second day 
after, they reached home, laden with the arms and 
ammunition of their conquered foes. 

These two successful expeditions convinced the set- 
tlers, that Captain Harper was the proper man to 
command, and enrolled themselves under his banner, 
and organized themselves into a guerilla corps for 
mutual defence. During the whole time of the revo- 
lutionary struggle, the operations of this company were 
confined to that section of country, which accounts for 
the omission of their deeds of noble daring, upon the 
pages of history. 

Exasperated at their misfortunes, the fiendish Brandt 
collected about three hundred savage warriors, and 
made a descent on the fort in Schoharie. It was too 
well fortified to be taken by this force, but had not men 
enough to make a sally. Learning their situation, Cap- 
tain Harper disguised himself, mounted a horse, and 
started for Albany to obtain aid. He passed through 
the midst of the enemy, as a tory named Rose. In the 
evening, he stopped at a public house for refreshment, 
where were several men, whose actions were rather 
suspicious. He went into another room and locked 
the door. Shortly after, four tories, one of whom had 
recognised him, demanded entrance. He cocked his 
pistols, drew his sword, opened the door, and inquired 
their business. When informed they wished him, he 
coolly remarked, " Pass that door, and you are dead 



REVOLUTION. 209 

men." He received no farther molestation at the 
house, but was fired at, soon after he resumed his 
journey, but was not injured. 

On his arrival at head quarters, the commander des- 
patched a squadron of mounted men, who rode all 
night. The first intimation received in the fort, of any 
assistance, was a furious attack on the enemy by the 
cavalry, just as the day dawned. The troops in the 
garrison immediately made a sally — the route was com- 
plete, the slaughter of the Indians dreadful, many of 
them plunging into the stream, reddening its waters 
with blood. At the first onset, Brandt and M'Donald 
fled and escaped. 

Captain Harper remained, a vigilant, bold, dis- 
creet, and active commander of the settlers, during 
the remainder of the Revolution, and subsequently 
received a large tract of land from government, as a 
reward for his valuable services. He enjoyed the esteem 
and respect of a large circle of friends and acquaint- 
ances, to the day of his death. Harpersfield is a 
township at the head of the Delaware river, so called, 
as a mark of respect for this worthy, good, and honest 
man. Harpersfield, in the Western Reserve, or New 
Connecticut, Ohio, was located by his descendants and 
neighbors, and is named after him. 

Let us now return to the enraged and revenging 
Murphy. From the time of the battle of Utstayantho, 
he commenced fighting on his own hool^. His thirst 
for vengeance knew no bounds. He was a man of 
great muscular power, near six feet in height, of an 
iron constitution, and swifter on foot, than any one who 
ever pursued him. He obtained a double barrelled 
rifle of the very best kind ; carried the tomahawk and 
27 s2 



210 THE PROBE. 

scalping knife he took on the night he and Captain 
Harper killed the ten Indians, and could use them all, 
with as much skill as a Mohawk. He soon became a 
terror to the red men. His many miraculous escapes 
and bold exploits, led them to believe he was protected 
by the Great Spirit. He hovered around them like a 
vulture — many of their braves fell beneath his brawny 
arm. He spent the most of his time alone in the 
woods, seeking his hated foe. He never hesitated at- 
tacking a party of three Indians, and not unfrequently 
despatched the whole. His courage was as cool, as his 
revenge was direful. Such was Murphy — a revenging 
foe of the red man, with a warm heart for his friends. 

The next day after the battle at the lake, he pre- 
pared himself, and pursued the party of Indians that 
retreated down the Delaware. On the second night, 
he came in sight of their encampment, and, by the 
light of the fire, could count twenty-seven warriors, 
some of whom were evidently wounded. He deter- 
mined to wait until all was quiet, and make their num- 
ber less by one. This he effected about midnight, and 
retreated without being pursued, as the night was 
quite dark. He followed this party until he despatched 
six of their number, when he returned to his friends, 
who received him with glad hearts, fearing he had 
fallen into the hands of the butchering foe. They 
entreated him to desist from such exposure to danger, 
but all in vaip. He rested under an oath, and most 
fearfully did he fulfil it. He desired no angel's tear to 
blot it from the record. He held his life in his hand, 
but put upon it a high price. 

He replenished his knapsack, and started for the 
hills bordering on the Mohawk river. The second day, 



REVOLUTION. 211 

he arrived at a settlement of whites, who were greatly 
distressed at the loss of one of their number a few 
hours before. Early in the morning, a young lady had 
ventured outside the block-house to milk a cow, when 
four savages suddenly sprung upon her, and dragged 
her into the woods. Her cries were heard, her frantic 
friends could see her struggle, but durst not venture 
out, as all the men who were able, had left a few days 
before, for the northern army, among whom was her 
father, two brothers, and a young officer, to whom she 
was engaged to be married in a short time. Her mother 
was overwhelmed with grief, and gave up her child as 
lost. She fancied her expiring beneath the ruthless 
hand of the barbarians, perhaps writhing under the 
agonies of a slow fire, surrounded by demons in human 
shape, drowning her cries with their savage yells. 

No Irish heart beat higher or warmer for woman, 
than did that of Murphy. Like a knight of chivalry, 
he started in pursuit. It was then ten o'clock; four 
hours had elapsed since the capture. He soon found 
the trail, and advanced rapidly. About five o'clock, 
when on the top of a bold hill, he discovered the party 
in the valley below. The fair captive was still alive, 
but expected that night would close her career for ever. 
Her anticipated happiness had faded away ; she believed 
an awful fate was about to seal her doom ; she had said 
in her heart; farewell father, mother, brothers, lover, 
friends ; resigned herself to God, and became abstract- 
ed from the world. The images of her fond parents, 
her dear brothers, and him, with whose soul her's had 
sweetly mingled ; all passed in review before her ima- 
gination; she could only hope to meet them in heaven. 

The encampment for the night was soon arranged by 



212 



THE PROBE. 



the red men, during which, Murphy approached as near 
as prudence would admit, before the mantle of night 
should cover him ; determined, that if they attempted 
any violence to the young lady, he would immediately 
rush upon them. With an eagle eye, he watched every 
motion. They built a large fire, prepared their last 
supper, and about ten o'clock, tied the hands and feet 
of their prisoner to two poles, and were soon in a pro- 
found sleep. For a few minutes, she struggled, but 
found she was unable to extricate herself. Her bosom 
heaved with sighs, her eyes rolled wildly round, she 
seemed already on the torturing rack. Our knight was 
so near, he could see all this by the light of the fire. 
It was too much for him to endure. He drew his knife 
from its scabbard, and advanced, with still and cautious 
step. He was soon discovered by the young lady, and 
motioned her to keep silence. He unbound and removed 
her, and the guns of the savages, a few rods off, enjoin- 
ing her to keep quiet, and, if he became overpowered, 
to flee for her life ; for he had determined to kill his 
hated foes, or perish in the attempt. With his toma- 
hawk in one hand, and his knife in the other, he re- 
turned. Waiting a few minutes, for their sleep to be- 
come more sound, he approached their muscular frames. 
He plunged his knife into the hearts of three — the fourth 
awoke, and as he rose, aimed a blow at Murphy with 
his tomahawk, which was parried, and the head of the 
savage cleft to the brain. As the Indian rose, the 
heroic girl, intead of making her escape, siezed a gun, 
and rushed to the aid of her deliverer. But the work 
was done, and the heroic knight stood contemplating, 
with a species of maniac delight, the quivering bodies, 
expiring in the agonies of death. 



REVOLUTION. 213 

The liberated captive now gazed on the stranger ; 
to her, all was inexplicable mystery. In a few words, 
he explained the whole matter, and assured her of his 
protection back to her habitation. She lifted her hands 
and eyes to heaven, and exclaimed, "May God reward 
my benefactor." A flood of tears choked further utter- 
ance, she clasped his hands in gratitude, and invoked 
her God to command the richest blessings of heaven to 
rest upon him. That was the happiest moment of 
Murphy's life. His pleasure was purer and nobler, 
than if he had gained a crown, or conquered a world. 

The Rubicon passed, he took the blankets, which 
had not been unpacked, and persuaded his fair charge 
to take a little rest, which she much needed, after the 
trying scenes she had passed through on that eventful 
day. Although sleep came not to her on that memor- 
able night, she felt refreshed when the day dawned. 
The sun rose, in all the beauty of a June morning — 
not a cloud obscured the sky. They started for the 
block-house, following the track, where they arrived 
about three o'clock in the afternoon. No language can 
describe the joyful surprise of all who were there. No 
one knew the gallant Irishman had gone in pursuit of 
the lost girl. He had listened to their story, the morn- 
ing previous, with apparent indifference ; without -mak- 
ing any reply ; concealing his design, for fear it might 
prove a failure. He was half suspected of being a 
tory, and in league with the savages who had abducted 
the young lady. He was a stranger, of whose business 
and destination, they knew nothing. Under such pe- 
culiar circumstances, their feelings can be but faintly 
conceived, much less, described. It was a scene of 
thrilling interest, calculated to awaken the finest feel- 



214 THE PROBE. 

ings of the human heart, the loftiest tones of unalloyed 
gratitude. 

The next morning he left them, under a June shower 
of invoked blessings and benedictions, and proceeded 
to his place of destination. He arrived safely in the 
neighborhood of the Mohawk river, where he killed 
several of the red men, and narrowly escaped being 
killed himself. As he was lying in ambush, he discov- 
ered an Indian, who, from his actions, he believed to 
be alone, and at once shot him. Instantly, two brawny 
warriors rushed upon him with uplifted tomahawks. 
One he brought to the ground with the contents of the 
other barrel of his rifle, the other advanced and aimed 
a blow at his head, which he warded off, and plunged his 
knife to the heart of the savage. He at once retreated 
to the fort in Schoharie, for fear he might, in turn, be 
ambushed. From there he again returned to his friends 
at the block-house and found them in deep distress. 
About two hours previous to his arrival, two men, who 
were at work in the corn field, had been taken by a 
party of Indians. The number of the savages was not 
known; there were but five men remaining; with them 
Murphy commenced an immediate, but cautious pursuit. 
Early in the evening they discovered the fire of the en- 
campment, and found there were eight warriors, who 
were preparing for the war dance, and to wreak their 
vengeance upon the captives. As their preparations 
increased, Murphy, and his comrades drew nearer. The 
prisoners were bound to a tree ; around them, faggots 
were placed, for the fire was to cap the climax of the 
festivity of the savages. Dreadful must have been the 
feelings of the victims, now beyond the reach of hope, 
and about to be tortured by a slow fire. 



REVOLUTION. 215 

The firing of the faggots was made the signal of at- 
tack. At length, the blazing torch was raised ; the 
heroic party rushed upon the red men, placed the muz- 
zles of their guns to their heads, and blew them into 
fragments. Six of them were killed in a second, and 
the next moment, the spirits of the ether two joined 
their companions, in their journey through the air. The 
deliverance of the captives was as unexpected, as it 
was joyful and soul-cheering. Of such thrilling scenes, 
nothing but experience can convey a correct idea, or 
draw a faithful picture. On the next day, the party 
reached the block-house, where high-beating hearts 
and convulsed bosoms, were waiting the result of the 
bold expedition. With open arms, the wives received 
their husbands — a flood of joyful tears spoke the feel- 
ings of their enraptured souls, with an eloquence un- 
known to words. Murphy was the hero, who richly 
merited and warmly received the gratitude of all. 

In the same manner, this enraged Irishman, who 
was now known by the cognomen of Indian killer, con-, 
tinued to harass the Aborigines, until they were driven 
from their ancient haunts. To relate all his exploits, 
would require a volume. He had many hair-breadth 
escapes, but was never taken prisoner after the first 
time, nor dangerously wounded. He was greatly 
dreaded by the Indians. He had a great desire to 
wreak his vengeance on Brandt. He said he could then 
die happy. But that murderous tory always remained 
with the main force, and cautiously avoided danger. 

For the Indian warrior, Murphy had no sympathy. 
The squaws and papooses, he never molested, nor 
would he stoop to sacrifice any but their fighting men. 
To the day of his death, he indulged in feelings of the 



216 THE PROBE. 

most direful revenge towards the much-abused race of 
red men, who have been driven from their own soil, and 
whose cruelties, dreadful as they have been, were the 
result of their mode of warfare, inculcated by the educa- 
tion of ages — the natural consequence of barbarism 
and the absence of civilization. But few there are, 
who view this subject in its true light, and award even- 
handed justice to the poor Indians, who did what we 
would do, but after their own manner — defend our 
right fid possession to the last. 

At the restoration of peace, Murphy married, and 
settled in Schoharie, about twelve miles from Utstayan- 
tho, which he often visited, until prevented by age. 

It was there he commenced his savage warfare — it 
was there, that I often listened to his stories. That 
ground had been enriched by the blood, and moistened 
by the serum of hundreds. During the revolution, three 
pitched battles were fought there, between the whites 
and Indians, the last of which was so disastrous to the 
red men, that they abandoned that ground to their 
more powerful invaders. In that beautiful valley, now 
improved by cultivation, Murphy always appeared ani- 
mated, and would " fight his battles o'er again." The 
scenes of past life, with all their dreadful and thrilling 
interest, would rush upon his memory, and often have 
I seen the big tears chasing each other rapidly, through 
the furrows of his war-worn cheeks. He lived to the 
age of about seventy-five, beloved and esteemed, when 
his brave spirit reposed on the bosom of his adored 
Redeemer, and took final leave of this world of vicissi- 
tudes and changes. His bones moulder in Schoharie, 
near where the old fort stood, and not a stone is reared, 
to tell the inquisitive stranger where they lie. 



SAYING TOO MUCH. 217 

SAYING TOO MUCH 

My words fly up, my thoughts remain below ; 

Words without thoughts, never to heaven go. — Shakespeare. 

Never say too much, was the advice of a dying mo- 
ther to her son, who still lives to profit by her counsels. 
This admonition may be justly applied to all grades of 
society, and profitably heeded by many in each grade. 
Public speakers are sadly prone to say too much. It 
is a fact worthy of notice and imitation, that Washing- 
ton, Franklin, and others, whose memories we delight 
to perpetuate ; were remarkably laconic in their 
speeches, keeping close to the question under con- 
sideration, aiming to inform, rather than dazzle ; more 
anxious to despatch the business of their constituents, 
than to outshine each other in the galaxy of eloquence. 

These brilliant lights I would not extinguish, but I 
would trim them, so that they should emit less smoke. 
The public speaker, who, without flourish or parade, 
comes to the subject matter at once ; who presents, in 
a clear, concise, and forcible manner, the strong points 
of his case ; whose every sentence strikes home ; who 
says just all that is necessary, and there stops; is 
always listened to with a marked attention, unknown to 
those who indulge in flights of oratory, plucking flowers 
from the regions of fancy, drawing more largely upon 
imagination, than upon sound logic and plain common 
sense, Especially in some of our courts and legislative 
halls, there should be less said and more done. 

At the proper time and place, I admire a speech, 
perfumed with the nosegays and flowers of poesy ; but 
not at the expense of the "dear people" at large. Let 
those who prefer dancing to working, pay the fiddler. 
28 T 



218 THE PROBE. 

In the private walks of life, there are thousands who 
say too much. The liar, profane swearer, hackbiter, 
and slanderer ; are ever saying too much. The whis- 
perer of scandal, the mysterious guesser, the imperti- 
nent meddler, the fiery and passionate, the jealous and 
suspicious, the malicious and revengeful, the envious 
and reckless; are usually saying quite too much, and 
from influences always wrong — often criminal. 

There are others, who, in the innocence of their 
hearts, say too much. The young man, whose stock 
of knowledge is small, by talking when he should 
listen ; may miss of intelligence that might be of great 
use to him. The man who engrosses all the conversa- 
tion in company, to show his learning and superiority; 
often disgusts his companions by saying too much. 
The fond and loving twain, who relate long yarns, rela- 
tive to their conjugal affection, and the shining intellect 
of their children ; often tire their friends by saying too 
much. Those who are ever relating fish stories, bold 
exploits of their own, hair-breadth escapes, exulting in 
their own powers ; sometimes render themselves ridicu- 
lous by saying too much. Long metre anecdotes are 
never interesting. They are like a book with the pre- 
face longer than the text. 

Some persons, when intrusted with a secret, get 
some half dozen to help them keep it; each of the half 
dozen get as many more, and so on, ad infinitum; all 
of whom say too much. 

If we know a fault of our neighbor, and, instead of 
going to him, and kindly endeavoring to reclaim him, 
we proclaim it to others, we violate the duty we owe 
him by saying too much. 



SAYING TOO MUCH. 219 

At parties, at levees, in mixed company, in public 
meetings, in private conversation ; men and women 
very readily say too much. 

Nor does the evil stop here. The printing press has 
become a trumpet-tongued instrument, and is often 
made to say quite too much. 

The organs of our political parties, issued from thi? 
magic contrivance, say much more than is necessary, 
and often in a very uncourteous manner. When tht 
press is made the instrument of circulating error, false 
hood, calumny, crimination, recrimination; anything 
but truth in its simple purity ; it is made to say too much 

Let us all strive to arrest this evil, by commencing 
at the fountain head, and, first of all, correct the heart 
and keep it with all diligence. Let our public business 
speeches be short and to the point. Let sermons in 
the pulpit be based on charity, and point to Jesus 
Christ, and him crucified, and not contain more than 
twenty-four divisions, each ten minutes long, for morn- 
ing and evening. I once heard one with thirty-two 
divisions — the preacher said too much. In exhorta- 
tions, lay members should be careful and not say too 
much. The wise man says, A word fitly spoken — not 
a volume of words. 

In private conversation, much will be said, but it 
should be better said than it usually is. Too much 
light, unprofitable, uninstructive conversation ; gene- 
rally occurs, more especially among professors of reli- 
gion, of whom better things are expected. Let us all 
remember; that for every idle word, we must render 
an account at the dread tribunal of the great Jehovah ; 
and let us strive never to say too much. 



220 THE PROBE. 



SCANDAL. 

The whisper'd tale 
That, like the fabling Nile no fountain knows, 
Fair fac'd deceit, whose wily, conscious eye, 
Ne'er looks direct. The tongue that licks the dust, 
But when it safe dares — as prompt to sting. — Thompson. 

Evil speaking, from the inuendo to perjury, is a 
violation of the ninth article of the decalogue. Petty 
scandal, practised, more or less, by almost every per- 
son, often produces more mischief than a false oath. 
The sly whisper, the mysterious hint, the anxious in- 
quiry, the uncharitable inference, gather importance 
and magnitude, as they pass from one to another, until 
they become dreadful realities in the public mind. By 
the small envenomed worm of petty scandal, many a 
fine ship has been sunk — many a fair character has 
been ruined, that would have outrode the storm of open 
and violent slander. 

There is a sad propensity in our fallen nature, to 
listen to the retailers of petty scandal. With many, it 
is the spice of conversation, the exhilarating gas of 
their minds. Without any intention of doing essential 
injury to a neighbor, a careless remark, relative to 
some minor fault of his, may be seized by a babbler, 
and, as it passes through the babbling tribe, each one 
adds to its bulk, and gives its color a darker hue, 
until it assumes the magnitude and blackness of base 
slander. Few are without visible faults — most per- 
sons are sometimes inconsistent. Upon these faults 
and mistakes, petty scandal delights to feast. 

Nor are those safe from the filth and scum of this 



SCANDAL. 221 

poisonous tribe, who are free from external blemishes. 
Envy and jealousy can start the blood-hound of sus- 
picion; create a noise that will attract attention; and 
many may be led to suppose there is game, when there 
is nothing but thin air. An unjust and unfavorable 
inuendo is started against a person of unblemished 
character ; it gathers force as it is rolled through bab- 
ble town — it soon assumes the dignity of a problem — 
is solved by the rule of double position, and the result 
increased by geometrical progression and permutation 
of quantities ; and before truth can get her shoes on, a 
stain, deep and damning; has been stamped on the 
fair fame of an innocent victim, by an unknown hand. 
To trace calumny back to the small fountain of petty 
scandal, is often impossible; and always more difficult 
than to find the source of the Nile. There is real 
masonry in petty scandal. Every thing is communi- 
cated with the finger on the lips, breast to breast. A 
hypocritical tenderness for the good name of the victim, 
is the salt that preserves the scandal from taint, and 
renders it palatable to some, who would be nauseated 
by any appearance of malice or revenge. 

It is a melancholy reflection upon human nature, to 
see how small a matter will put the ball of scandal in 
motion. A mere hint, a significant look, a mysterious 
countenance; directing attention to a particular per- 
son; often gives an alarming impetus to this ignis 
fatuns. A mere interrogatory is converted into an 
affirmative assertion — the cry of mad dog is raised — 
the mass join in the chase, and not unfrequently, a 
mortal wound is inflicted on the innocent and meri- 
torious, perhaps by one who had no ill-will, or desire to 
do wrong in any case, but, from mere impulse, joined 

t2 



222 THE PROBE. 

the rushing crowd, without having examined the vic- 
tim, to know if any symptoms of disease were visible. 

In this way, but few there are, who have not been 
involuntarily drawn into the vortex of petty scandal, 
and have become instrumental agents of injustice, 
without a desire to injure, or wound a fellow being. 

If more caution was used, less mischief would be 
effected by dealers in detraction. If they had no hear- 
ers, they would not preach their tales of scandal. 
Rebuke has a magic effect upon this tribe of paltry 
cowards. It suffocates them, and brings them down, 
as quickly as the fumes of burning brimstone will a 
wild turkey from a tree. Let the sword of rebuke be 
drawn upon the dealers in backbiting, wherever they 
show their Janus faces. The murky waters of false- 
hood will not then so often stain the fair fame of the 
innocent, and poison the happiness of the most amiable 
in community. 

Professing Christians are often led astray by this 
natural propensity. I have known churches that were 
cursed with envious babblers, who would make a com- 
mon sewer of their minister, paralyze religion, and 
convert the sanctuary into a boiling cauldron — dis- 
graceful to those concerned, and a stigma on their 
profession of religion. Let all deprecate and cau- 
tiously avoid petty scandal, as they would a scorpion. 



scorn. 223 



SCORN. 



Scorn is the offal of pride, and an awfully disgust- 
ing propensity. It courts the displeasure, and draws 
down the wrath of those who are the special objects of 
its notice, with no power to control them, as Franklin 
did the forked lightning. It repudiates the homely 
adage, It is better to have the good, than the ill-will of y 
a dog. Scorn violates courtesy, is pharisaical, anti- 
republican, and renders disgusting aristocracy more 
repulsive. Upon its unfortunate possessors it exerts an 
influence, not unlike that of the devils that were cast 
out of Mary Magdalene, and is harder to get rid of. 
No wounds are more obstinate to cure, than those in- 
flicted by this fiery serpent. The finger of scorn makes 
more havoc of feeling, than the arrow of Abaris, the 
Scythian priest, did of the body, which is said to have 
carried destruction into the ranks of the enemies of the 
Scythians, but spared some, to tell the sad fate of the 
rest. Scorn rouses all the bitter feelings of the scorned, 
and converts them into the most implacable enemies. 
No time will obliterate the look of disdain, the con- 
temptuous airs of the scornful ; a striking evidence in 
favor of the doctrine, that all are born free and equal. 
Scorners are somewhat of a paradox — by raising them- 
selves above their fellows, in their own conceit, they 
sink themselves below every body, in the opinion of 
others. None are more prone to imbibe this offal of 
pride, than those who are raised suddenly from poverty 
to wealth ; the last, of all others, who should exercise 
it. The man who perpetrated the following saying, 



224 THE PROBE. 

must have had such a scorner in view. Put a beggar 
on horseback and he will ride to the devil. 

A great fault on this point is too prevalent among 
some parents. They make scorners of their children, 
hy teaching them to scorn the children of others, who 
are less wealthy. Children may be properly taught to 
shun the company, as associates, of children that are 
vicious, because they are so, but to treat them kindly, 
and not to scorn any. If this lesson was taught to 
children, and they were made to understand, that all 
children are as good by nature as they ; and that poor 
children, who behave properly, are entitled to the same 
respect as the rich ; it would do much towards redu- 
cing the number of scorners. Teach them that worth 
not wealth, makes the man ; and teach them, that re- 
ligion has no distinction of rank. 



SELFISHNESS. 



The selfish heart deserves the pain it feels. — Thompson. 

Thou canst not name a tender tie, 

But here, dissolv'd, its relics lie. — Scott. 

Self is the Sahara of the human heart, where all 
the nobler powers of the soul are deeply buried in 
the scorching sand of avarice, on which we may pour 
showers of human wo and kindness, without producing 
the least appearance of sympathy or gratitude. The 
blighting Sirocco of indifference sweeps over the desert 
mind, increases the powers of absorption, and destroys 
all that is cheering, amiable, and lovely. 

Man was created a social being ; benevolent, sym- 



SELFISHNESS. 225 

pathetic, kind, affectionate ; quick to feel, and prompt 
to alleviate the miseries of his fellow man. Selfishness 
is one of the foul blots imprinted on human nature by 
Lucifer, and should be hurled back to Pandemonium, 
from whence it came. It dwells only in little minds, 
and pinches them, as a dandy-boot does the foot, cover- 
ing them with excrescences, painful as corns and chil- 
blains. The man, who is a slave to self, could look 
calmly on the wreck of nature, and the crush of worlds, 
if it would add one item to his wealth. Haggard 
poverty he spurns from his door ; the favors of fortune 
he receives, as obligations paid. He is tormented with 
envy, withered with covetousness, and pained with 
jealousy. Like Franklin's boy, he grasps at more 
than he can hold, cries because he cannot carry all, and 
would be an Atlas if he could. His soul is shrivelled 
like Pharaoh's lean kine, without the power of devouring ; 
his benevolence is always confined with the gout of 
contraction, his charity is always hid behind the clouds 
of suspicion, the whole man becomes comparatively, 
the aurelia of a minnow, with more room in a barrel of 
water, than a porpoise has in the Atlantic ocean. If 
his benevolence inadvertently passes the circumference 
of a half dime, he is in as much agony as a lost child, 
and involuntarily calls for the bellman. He renders 
himself miserable, knows nothing of the sweets of social 
enjoyment, incurs the scorn and contempt of those 
around him; and is worse than a blank in community. 
Self has often baffled, and always cripples the pow- 
ers of religion. Like the leprosy, it requires a mira- 
cle to cure it, and then is hard to stay cured. The 
mournful obsequies of death cannot shame it. So 
powerfully does this all-absorbing propensity operate 
29 



226 THE PROBE. 

upon some persons, that they are lost to all propriety 
and decency, in language and action on this subject, 
and openly avow their desires, and manifest their joys 
and regrets, when circumstances occur to forward or 
frustrate their selfish wishes. I have heard heirs 
wish the " old man" or " old woman" dead, that they 
might come in possession of an estate, showing, that 
the base passion of selfishness had banished all natural 
affection, and left their hearts fit receptacles for the filth 
and scum of selfishness. I have seen heirs thrown into 
an ecstacy of delight, on the death of a kind and indul- 
gent but wealthy father, proving clearly, they placed 
a greater estimate on his money, than on him. They 
could scarcely wait to have his cold form laid in the 
grave, and shed a crocodile tear over it, for appear- 
ance sake ; before they urged the examination of his 
will — nay, I have known one instance, where the will 
was opened before the body was put in the coffin. 
Many may think human nature is not so depraved — 
it is true — and more — there have been instances of 
men purloining wills in presence of a corpse, and sub- 
stituting forged ones in their places. 

Frederick, the Great, was one of these selfish, nar- 
row-minded brutes. In the midst of a furious battle, 
his nephew, hereditary Prince of Prussia, was shot by 
his side, when he exclaimed with apparent delight, 
Ah ! the Prince of Prussia is killed — let his equipage 
be saved. I knew a good man, whose wife was so im- 
mured in self, that when he died, the first exclamation 
she uttered after he expired, was, " Poor dear husband, 
you have gone, and ha'n't finished my milk-room." 
Get behind me, thou Lucifer ! 






SPECTACLES. 227 



SPECTACLES. 



It is recorded in Mythology, that Jove directed an 
equal quantity of pleasure 'and pain, to be put in the 
cup of human life. Complaints were soon made by 
sundry individuals, that some of their neighbors drank 
all the pleasure, and left them nothing but the dregs 
of pain. To silence this continual murmuring, Jove 
ordered Mercury to place upon each a pair of invisible 
Spectacles, with false lens, that should make pain as- 
sume the appearance of pleasure, and to the devotees 
of pleasure, happiness would look like misery. 

Unfortunately for the human race, this fable seems 
to be reduced to a fatal reality. It is a correct deline- 
ation of the natural heart, and I am inclined to think 
the devil invented these Spectacles, and first put them 
on Mother Eve. We here see the origin of the re- 
mark, Man is the only animal that can laugh and cry, 
and the only one that deserves to be laughed at and cried 
for. 

Youth are prone to view every thing through these de- 
ceptive glasses, and too often look through them during 
life ; for we see many adults who use them continually. 

They wear these Spectacles, who indulge a restless 
disposition, making themselves unhappy, when sur- 
rounded by all the necessaries of life ; who twist and 
turn, and are every thing by turns and nothing long ; 
tortured by imaginary wants, leaving a sure business, 
because its gains are slow, and, rushing into the whirl- 
pool of hazardous undertakings, are suddenly ruined. 

They wear them, who indulge in idleness, dissipa- 
tion, and crime. They wear them, who follow fickle 



228 THE PROBE. 

fashion, bowing, cringing, bending the knee to her, as 
she rolls her chariot from city to city, from city to town, 
and from town to country ; levying taxes without rea- 
son, and collecting them without mercy. They wear 
them, who are inflated with pride, and endeavor to 
float in the upper atmosphere ; assuming a scornful 
mien towards those who have not the same gas to ren- 
der them equally ridiculous. They wear them, whose 
tongues run riot, and are ever saying too much. They 
wear them, whose fancies run away with their judg- 
ments ; whose imaginations lead reason captive, and 
whose appetites and passions, convert the man into a 
brute. They wear them, who indulge any of the base 
propensities, to the injury of themselves or others. 
They wear them, who rush into the labyrinth of law 
rashly, and are willing to pay more to indulge a stub- 
born will, than for the Gospel and physic. They wear 
them, who wind themselves up in the cocoon of self, 
making an idol of money, hard dealers, oppressors of 
the poor, miserly, eschewing the comforts of life to 
hoard up wealth, dying with regret, regretted by none. 
They wear them, who enlist under the high floating 
banner of wild ambition, turn politicians, neglect their 
business at home, not for the sake of patriotism or 
country, but for the sake of the loaves and fishes, 
which are no longer distributed miraculously, and 
thousands who scramble for a whole fish and loaf, get 
not even a herring bone, or a single crumb from under 
the table. Poor fellows, they pay dear for the whistle. 

Parents are often led astray by these invisible, false, 
deceptive Spectacles. 

They wear them, who permit their children to grow 
up in ignorance and idleness, rambling from place to 



SPECTACLES. 229 

place ; frequenting grog and gambling shops ; drink- 
ing vice in copious draughts ; preparing them for in- 
famy, from its lightest shade, to its blackest hue. 
Those parents wear them, who have their children in- 
structed in the light and fashionable literature of the 
day, to the neglect of the solid branches, fit for prac- 
tical purposes in the every-day concerns of life, when 
they will be compelled to make a living for themselves. 
Teach them pure virtue, common sense, rigid econo- 
my, and healthful industry. Parents, guardians, and 
masters wear them ; who never reprove but by scold- 
ing, and never chastise, only when in a passion up to 
a boiling heat. 

Some old people wear these Spectacles, often in gog- 
gle form ; and seem to forget they were once young, 
and pass an indiscriminate censure upon the vivacity 
of youth; an unreasonable censorship on young men; 
and unjust criticisms upon mature manhood. 

Those persons wear them, who unnecessarily neglect 
their homes ; prefer other company to that of an amia- 
ble wife ; expose themselves to unhallowed temptations, 
thereby destroying their own, and the comfort of their 
families. 

All wear them, who are not guided by reason and 
prudence, in matters of political, moral, and religious 
economy ; who desert the paths of virtue, give a loose 
rein to the unholy passions, indulge in the ruinous 
vices of the day ; and neglect the salvation of their im- 
mortal souls. To all, I say, beware of the invisible 
Spectacles of Mercury, alias Lucifer's. Break the 
glasses and shame the devil. 

U 



230 THE PROBE. 



SUNDAY. 



Sundays the pillars are 
On which heaven's palace arched lies : 
On Sunday, heaven's gate stands ope, 
Blessings are plentiful and rife, » 
More plentiful than hope. — Herbert. 

This sacred day of rest is based on wisdom, good- 
ness, and mercy. As a day of rest from labor, de- 
voted to the more immediate means of grace, it invig- 
orates our physical powers, and points to heaven — 
promoting the health and preserving the strength of 
our bodies, leading our souls to God ; and, if properly 
observed by all, would be a most powerful agent in 
advancing and perfecting social order in our community, 
and make thousands wise unto salvation. Thus, the 
goodness and mercy of God are exhibited, in providing 
for the relief of fatigued nature, and the means of en- 
joying religion, at one and the same time. 

To those who hail it with joy, that they may rest 
from their labors, and worship Jehovah in spirit and 
in truth, it is a happy day — an antepast of heaven. 
But wo! wo! unto those who make it a day of sinful 
amusement, of carousal — a day set apart to serve the 
devil, more than any other day of the week. The 
command was given by the Judge of all the earth — 
amidst the burning flames of Sinai, to keep this day 
holy, and most fearfully will the vengeance of an angry 
God be poured out upon the finally impenitent Sabbath- 
breaker. Often, in this life, the judgments of heaven 
seem to fall upon the violaters of this holy day. Nu- 
merous criminals, now in our penitentiaries, trace the 



SUNDAY. 231 

commencement of their career in crime, to a violation 
of the Sabbath day. 

To groggery keepers, it is the most money making 
day in the week, strict {dead) laws, and vigilant {wink- 
ing) constables to the contrary notwithstanding. With 
all the well intended exertions of the friends of this 
holy day, to induce people generally to its more strict 
observance, we have millions in our land, who commit 
more overt acts of sin on the Sabbath, than during the 
other six days of the week. 

We have many professors of religion, who are far 
from paying due respect to their Lord and Master, in 
the proper observance of this day. Some attend church 
in the morning, and either lounge, sleep, or ride out in 
the afternoon. Some are fair weather church going 
people, and are pleased to see a succession of stormy, 
or at least cloudy Sundays. Others have the seventh 
day headache, which commences about nine every 
Sabbath morning, and confines them to the bed, or 
house at least; until about four in the afternoon. 
Others toil so hard for themselves through the week, 
that they are unfit for devotional duties on Sunday, 
and if they go to church, it is only to save censure 
from their pastor and brethren, and sleep, away the 
sermon, for fear its truths might set too closely, and 
pinch their consciences. There are others who do not 
go to church, because they cannot dress as well as some 
others — vain pride is stronger than their religion. 

There are none more punctual at church, than an 
obnoxious class of professors, that may be termed 
seventh day Christians — They stop at no means in 
accumulating wealth six days of the week, and can 
easily be tempted, after church on Sunday. Such men 



232 THE PROBE. 

are the devil's scavengers, and are worse in a church, 
than hogs in a cornfield, just in the silk. None but 
the active, truly pious, duly appreciate, and properly 
keep Sunday. 



SUSPICION. 



-Suspicion is a heavy armour, and, 



With its own weight, impedes, more than it protects. — Byron. 

Suspicion is the legitimate offspring of selfishness, 
and can no more exist in a noble, generous heart, than 
a salamander could in an iceberg. It is like self-right- 
eousness, the more, the worse. It is like a Promethean 
vulture, preying upon the vitals of human happiness. 
It is at war with rational enjoyment, and an enemy to 
the refined pleasures of friendship. It is like the Rhi- 
noceros, the only animal that is armed with a horn on 
the end of his nose. It is the bane of social intercourse, 
the medium through which we are enabled to learn the 
nature of man, and become prepared to appreciate his 
good qualities and guard against his bad. 

It dooms its unfortunate victims to ignorance of hu- 
man nature, and exposes them to the attacks of the 
designing knave, more than open frankness — for the 
latter inspires respect — the former, contempt. True, 
the other extreme should be avoided, but is less dan- 
gerous, and does not rob us of the dearest enjoyments 
of life — the sweets of friendship. Frankness basks in 
the melting sunbeams of charity — Suspicion shivers in 
the arctic circle of selfishness, and never thaws out. 
Frankness refracts and reflects kindly feelings, as kin- 
dred hearts meet — Suspicion imparts a centrifugal force 



TONGUE. 233 

to every object that approaches its automaton. Once 
deeply rooted in the human breast, the focal heat of 
religion may pour its rays upon it, without affecting it, 
any more than the sun does the banks of perpetual 
snow, on the highest peak of Mont Blanc. 

Let parents guard their children against selfishness, 
and its froward offspring, Suspicion. They are enemies 
to common humanity, and all the amiable qualities of 
the heart ; repugnant to social order, adverse to religion 
and the most refined enjoyments of the human family. 
With these two ulcers, a grain of prevention is better 
than a pound of cure. Once deeply rooted, they be- 
come the coffin and the sepulchre of the noblest powers 
of the immortal soul; the chilling tomb of all that ren- 
ders life desirable, and nerves man to look calmly on 
that hour, when he must say farewell to his loved ones, 
bid adieu to earth, grapple with the king of terrors, 
and, through faith in Jesus, triumph over death and 
the grave ; and ascend to realms of enduring bliss be- 
yond the skies. 



TONGUE. 

"bridle the tongue." 



This little member of our physical organization, 
designed by our Creator for none but useful purposes; 
is often the source of immeasurable mischief and the 
keenest regret. Unless constantly held and guided by 
the bridle of prudence, the bit of discretion, the curb 
of charity, the martingal of wisdom, and a skillful pos- 
tilion ; it runs at random like a wild colt, and, in a 
moment of levity or passion, may commit a serious 
30 u2 



234 THE PROBE. 

trespass on our neighbor — one that may not readily be. 
repaired. It may be in the flower garden of his repu- 
tation, in the wheat field of his friendship, or in the 
department of his domestic affairs — no matter where, 
a trespass is a wrong — if committed by our cat, we are 
answerable for it — if by our tongue, it is much more 
serious and less excusable. 

It is declared in Holy Writ, that the tongue is an 
unruly member and cannot be tamed — that it is full of 
deadly poison, that its words are sometimes smoother 
than oil, yet are they drawn swords — that it separateth 
very friends, and that the words of the talebearer are 
as wounds; which descriptions are no high encomiums 
on its good qualities. 

We have a variety of tongues that are permitted to 
run at large by their owners ; many of whom are bank- 
rupt, and are not able to render any remuneration for 
trespasses committed, and go unwhipped of justice. 
These tongues are a nuisance in society, and stamp 
their owners with lasting disgrace. 

The tongue that feeds on mischief, the babbling, the 
tattling, the sly whispering, the impertinent meddling ; 
all these tongues are trespassing on the community 
constantly. The fiery tongue is also abroad, ajid being 
set on fire of hell, scatters firebrands among friends, 
sets families, neighborhoods, churches, and social cir- 
cles in a flame ; and, like the salamander, is wretched 
when out of the burning element. The black slander- 
ing tongue is constantly preying upon the rose buds 
of innocence and virtue, the foliage of merit, worth, 
genius, and talent ; and poisons, with its filth of inuen- 
does and scum of falsehood, the most brilliant flowers, 
the most useful shrubs, and the most valuable trees, in 



TONGUE. 235 

the garden of private and public reputation. Not con- 
tent with its own base exertions, it leagues with the 
envious, jealous, and revengeful tongues ; and, aided by 
this trio, sufficient venom is combined to make a second 
Pandemonium ; and malice enough to fill it with de- 
mons. They can swallow perjury like water, digest 
forgery as readily as Graham bread, convert white into 
black, truth into falsehood, good into evil, innocence 
into crime, and metamorphose every thing which stands 
in the current of their polluted and polluting breath. 

There are other tongues that are not so pernicious, 
but which need correction. The scolding tongue often 
produces mischief, and always disturbs the harmony of 
a family. It sours the disposition of its owner, destroys 
good government, injures children, and makes bad ser- 
vants. A petulant scolding teacher in a school, is worse 
than the night-mare. A storm of words engenders 
hatred in the pupils — this destroys respect — in the ab- 
sence of love and respect, their improvement is more 
than problematical. 

Some well-disposed tongues are prone to say too 
much, and weary us with continuous speaking, forget- 
ting to stop when they have said enough. In the private 
circle, such persons often render themselves disgusting, 
by monopolizing all the conversation, seeming to forget 
that others have ideas of their own, and tongues to ex- # 
press them. If a company of these persons happen to 
meet, and their tongues all start on a gallop together, 
as they generally do, the history of Babel is at once 
forced on the mind of a reflecting person. In our con- 
vivial meetings, and in moments of anger, we are all 
prone to say too much. 

Persons who have, or what is worse, think they have, 



236 THE PROBE. 

a talent for repartee ; are in danger of saying too 
much. Those who form too high an estimate of big /, 
are sure to run into this error. Those parents, who 
think their geese are all swans, can talk of nothing but 
the rare qualities of their own children ; their domestic 
concerns; their conjugal affection; and thus often 
awaken contempt, perhaps jealousy, in the bosom of a 
neighbor. Young men often make a mistake, by talk- 
ing instead of listening. Some old men would talk 
you into the middle of next year, if you would waste 
time in hearing them. 

To censure the ladies for saying too much, would be 
cruel ; but they must pardon me for admonishing them 
not to defile their pretty mouths with any of the vile 
tongues above alluded to — it would be horrible de- 
formity, blended with native loveliness — a violation of 
the laws of nature, and a stain upon the sex. 

Many public speakers say too much for their own 
credit, the edification of those who hear them, or the 
good of our common country. Legislative sessions are 
prolonged in this way, our courts are extended, vast 
amounts of money wasted, and less good produced, than 
if we had no speeches in the halls of legislation and 
justice. If men are affected with the Jingo mania, let 
them seize, without flourish, upon the strong points of 
the subject to be discussed — stop when they have said 
enough — they will then sooner acquire the celebrity 
they desire, save to the treasury large sums of money, 
and prove, more conclusively, that they love their coun- 
try, and respect themselves and their constituents. Let 
us bridle our tongues, and keep our hearts with all 
diligence, and be careful not to offend in word, deed, 
or action. 



TRIFLES. 237 



TRIFLES. 

To appreciate small things properly, is a point not 
well attended to by the mass, and is the attainment of 
close observation and a refined discernment. The eyes 
of some are so large, that they disdain to look at, much 
less analyze, the small threads that make up the warp 
of human life ; and are careless observers of its filling. 
Others view every thing through a microscope, and 
spend so much time in looking, that they take no time 
for analyzing, and run into an extreme, that is no more 
to be applauded, than the carelessness of big eyes. The 
medium course is free from the quagmires of the for- 
mer, and the thorny asperities of the latter. Time is 
made up of seconds — they should be prized and im- 
proved as well as minutes, hours, and days. The man 
who misspends the one, is prone to waste the other. 
The boy who is encouraged to spend pennies for gew- 
gaws, too often acquires a habit that ruins the man. 
He is taught to place a value on things that have no 
intrinsic worth — his taste and fancy become vitiated, 
and his judgment led astray. Mature age sometimes 
corrects combined trifling errors, contracted in child- 
hood and youth — but habit often proves too strong to 
be conquered. Parents should remember, that the 
warp of human life is made up of numberless small 
threads, and that a coarse filling, carelessly interwoven, 
may ruin the texture of the fabric of the minds of their 
children, and all should reflect, that the web is not 
complete, until death takes it out of the loom — and 
that wisdom, prudence, virtue — in short, that a good 
life, is the only filling that will give a smoothness to 



238 THE PROBE. 

the piece, that will be approved by Him, who furnished 
the stock to be manufactured by us. 

Nor are the trifles that affect our temporal and every- 
day concerns, to be overlooked. We should examine 
the whole machinery of human nature in the light of 
charity — not that we will find it in that finished and 
perfect order, as when it received its finishing touch 
from the hands of its Creator" — but, deranged as is the 
machine, we should make ourselves as familiar with it 
as possible — its main and hair springs, its combinations, 
its levers, its valves, its fly wheel, its generating and 
motive power ; and all the minutiae that forms the grand 
whole. An ignorance of these, has often been attended 
with disastrous consequences to individuals, to states, 
and to nations. 

This mastery over the machine, can be obtained only 
by diligence and application. These ever have and ever 
will perform wonders. The fabled mouse, with its di- 
minutive teeth, severed a cable that defied the force 
of a lion and the power of a giant. The operations of 
nature, our best schoolmaster in natural things — are 
slow, but sure and uniform — she never leaps. Great 
good is effected — great estates are accumulated, by 
adding little to little. Those who pursue a contrary 
course, like the man who seeks a fortune at the lottery 
wheel, the gambling table, or in wild speculation, are 
doomed to find ninety-nine blanks to one small prize, 
and a large prize, more rare than death by lightning. 
Most of those who become steeped in crime, enter the 
mere portals of vice at first — their frail bark is 
gently moved around by the extreme and scarcely 
perceptible circles of the awful whirlpool — gradually, 
they are drawn nearer and closer to the fatal vortex, 



TRIFLES. 239 

until they are rendered powerless, and sink to rise no 
more. 

The first convivial party, the first social glass, the 
first infatuating game at cards, the first lucky throw 
of the dice, the first fortunate lottery ticket, the first 
success in fancy stocks, the first violation of the sacred 
decalogue — all apparently TRIFLES in themselves, have 
proved the entering wedge to the county prison, the 
state penitentiary, and the barbarous gallows. Read- 
er, think of, and prepare for thy final destiny. 

In our intercourse in society, a word, a look, a ges- 
ture, a smile, a frown, a sneer, the curl of the lip, a 
fling of the head, a hint, an inuendo — although small 
items of communication and expression, may be big 
with consequences — may break a shaft or burst the 
bqiler of friendship. 

All the relations of life are interwoven with trifles, 
and, unless the shuttle is plied with a skillful hand, the 
texture of the web will be full of knots, and of many 
discordant colors. Let all duly appreciate trifles — 
look at them closely, but let them be reflected by the 
sunbeams of charity — arranged and woven together 
by sound discretion, that an even and beautiful fabric 
may be presented before the gazing millions, at the 
great day of final examination. 



240 THE PROBE. 



TYRANNY. 



Think'st thou, there is no tyranny but that 

Of blood and chains ? The despotism of vice, 

The weakness and wickedness of luxury, 

The negligence — the apathy — the evils 

Of sensual sloth — produce ten thousand tyrants, 

Whose delegated cruelty surpasses 

The worst acts of one energetic master, 

However harsh and hard in his own bearing. — Byron. 

Much wind and time are expended, in denouncing 
monarchies, and the institutions of slavery ; both in 
opposition to the republican form of government adopt- 
ed by us. To cure these evils, we must cure greater 
ones, on which they are predicated. Strip the world 
of vice, in all its borrowed forms, and make every 
man, woman, and youth intelligent ; especially, let 
them be made to read and understand the Bible ; free- 
dom would then be as universal as man. The devil is 
the father of Tyranny. He first corrupted, then en- 
slaved the human family. All Tyranny is based on 
corruption, and, as virtue predominates, every species 
of slavery must recede. His Satanic majesty has nu- 
merous petty Tyrants, who carry out the principles of 
his most arbitrary government with an iron hand. His 
magic power consists in his first paralyzing reason, and 
bringing all the base passions under his control. The 
passions being enslaved, the soul becomes torpid, the 
body passive, and the work is done. 

The courts of kings are admirable manufactories for 
bringing these passions into submission. Luxury, dis- 
sipation, and fashion ; with their concomitant retinue 
of subalterns, whether in kingly courts, or in a repub- 



UNION. 241 

lie, exercise a Tyranny, more to be dreaded than the 
guillotine or the scaffold. The former kill soul and 
body, the man Tyrant can only consign our clay to its 
mother earth. We must turn back the stream at the 
fountain head, before we can stop those that flow from it. 
When all mankind become free in the Gospel of our 
immaculate Redeemer, the slavery of vice will be done 
away. Thrones, kings, and the thraldom of body and 
mind, will then vanish, like the morning fog before the 
rising sun. Then we shall see, 

u The varying sects of Christians all unite 
To spread the common truths of Gospel light." 



UNION. 

An enchanting halo surrounds this word, a harmo- 
nious euphony vibrates from its sound. It is the most 
mellow word in our language. It was the watchword 
in heaven, before this mighty globe was spoke into ex- 
istence — its melody still echoes there — and will, through 
the rolling ages of eternity. 

It is the magic word that has rallied millions to deeds 
of noble daring — it has been seized by each successive 
combination of the human family, to accomplish desired 
objects — good and evil. All have perceived, that Union 
is strength, that united, they might stand, divided, they 
must fall. What language thrills through the soul of 
the patriot and Christian, like " Our Union," — the 
watchword of '76. And shall this Union be preserved 
to millions yet unborn, or will we, like nations that 
have gone before us, suffer patriotism to be strangled, 
basely suffocated, by party spirit and internal dissen- 
31 V 



242 THE PROBE. 

sions, originated by demagogues, and those who care 
only for the fleece, loaves and fishes ? For years, too 
little attention has been given to the moral qualifications 
of our legislators. Available men, with some honorable 
exceptions, have been selected, on party grounds ex- 
clusively. I only name the fact to induce reflection — 
not to discuss it, or cast personal reflections. Let us 
lay the adage deeply to heart — United, we stand — 
Divided, we fall. 

UNION — symphonious word — mothers, teach your 
babes to lisp it — it is the first word they can speak. 
Let this be the watchword from the white house 
down to the rude cabin of the back-woods-man — from 
the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the northern provinces 
of Queen Victoria, to the land of the Montezumas. 

Let Christians make it their watchword, in the con- 
flict with the man of sin — let the members of every 
church cultivate Union — let every Society, formed for 
the amelioration of man, cultivate it — let the students 
in our seminaries cultivate it ; let its importance be 
impressed on the pupils in our primary schools ; let 
parents teach it to their children, by precept and ex- 
ample — let it be the rallying word between husband 
and wife, to quell the little squalls of wind that may 
suddenly arise ; let it be the bond of peace to guide us 
in all the concerns of life ; and, above all, let us live in 
the constant enjoyment of Union wifh the great Jeho- 
vah, and be prepared to enter into that heavenly Union, 
where songs of euphonious symphony, shall melt upon 
the soul, and Union! Union! Union! shall burst from 
the lips of countless millions, who commenced their 
Union with God and the Lamb, before they left their 
tenements of clay. 



USEFULNESS. 243 



USEFULNESS 



Nature, indulgent, provident, and kind, 

In all things that exist, some use design'd. — Landsdowne. 

The great Architect of the Universe made all things 
well, and designed them for good. Man was the lofty 
cap-stone of the climax of creative wisdom, animated 
by the pure breath of Jehovah, and placed upon earth 
to enjoy the rich and liberal bounties of nature. This 
enjoyment was not designed to be selfish, but to be 
rendered purer and more complete, by association and 
social intercourse. As a finishing touch to the mag- 
nificent plan of man's happiness, woman was ushered 
into his Paradise, to smooth his pathway, and shed a 
softer and more mellow bliss around him. The design 
of their mutual creation, was to impart consolation to 
each other and their progeny, and to glorify God in all 
their actions. This obligation still rests upon the 
family of man — how to discharge it, is an important 
inquiry. 

The great plan of Usefulness is suspended by a triple 
cord — a right disposition, intelligence, and wealth. 
With these, every man and woman will be useful. 
The first is the grand filament of the cord, around 
which the others are twined. The second is within the 
reach of all in our community ; the third is in the pos- 
session of more than apply it to its legitimate purpose 
— that of aiding the cause of humanity, alleviating 
misery, and increasing happiness. 

The family of man is composed of teachers and 
learners ; the idle and industrious ; the evil and the 



244 THE PROBE. 

good. The original purity of human nature has been 
stained with sin — but man is still endowed with full 
power to discern, and choose good or evil. He has a 
strong propensity to adhere to the latter, with a clear 
knowledge of the fearful consequences of rejecting the 
former. It is the province of the good and philanthro- 
pic, to correct the vices and follies, and ameliorate the 
wretchedness and misfortunes of those around them, 
and induce them to eschew evil and learn to do well. 
To be enabled to do this, we must learn the duty we 
owe to our God, ourselves, our families, and our fellow 
creatures ; and then nobly fulfil this duty, by precept 
and example. 

What good we learn, we can teach to those who are 
below us in the grade of intelligence, although we may 
be destitute of wealth. In what we are ignorant, we 
can find willing teachers to instruct us ; and can con- 
tinually expand our sphere of Usefulness, and thus fulfil 
the design of our creation. If we have the disposition, 
a large store of intelligence, and an abundance of 
wealth ; our Usefulness will be extended to a greater 
circumference, and scatter blessings all around. 

The humblest individual can be useful, if he wills to be 
so. The sphere of Usefulness has a wide range — from 
the scavenger in the street, to the loftiest pinnacle 
science can rear — one extended endless chain, with all 
the links dependant upon each other — and, in the ab- 
sence of vice, would be a harmonious connected whole 
— a golden chain, that would reach from earth to 
heaven. 

To be truly useful, we must correct our own hearts, 
and keep our own garden free from weeds. Without good 
examples, our precepts will be powerless. This done, 



USEFULNESS. 245 

we should seek every opportunity to direct others to 
the path of wisdom. 

The sabbath school presents one of the widest fields 
of Usefulness, ever opened for cultivation. Criminally 
ignorant is that adult, who is not able to teach some 
one or more, found in this juvenile nursery of mind. 
Upon the correct cultivation of the rising generation, 
depends the salvation of our country, and the perpetuity 
of our religious and civil institutions. A mass of hete- 
rogeneous and heterodox materials is accumulating 
amongst us, with fearful rapidity. The combined 
powers of monarchy and hierarchy, have drawn their 
mental swords against us, and thrown away the scab- 
bards. Widely disseminated intelligence, alone, will 
save us from the burnished steel. The story of our 
Liberty has been told to millions in the old world, and 
has weakened the tenure of kings, and made their 
thrones tremble. Upon our death depends their life. 
A dreadful struggle is rolling on us ; an angry storm is 
gathering ; a fearful crisis coming. Upon the rising 
generation of our land, depends our existence as a free 
people, and the triumph of liberal principles over the 
world. Individual responsibility should be more deeplr 
felt. Each man and woman is a thread in the triple 
cord of Usefulness. Every thread that is added, 
strengthens this cord — forbid, Almighty God, that any 
shall be detached, to weaken it. Let the moral and 
religious tone of the community be pure and healthy ; 
pauperism, poverty, vice, misery, and wretchedness, 
will recede, as surely as does the morning fog before 
the rising sun. Seek first the kingdom of heaven and all 
needful earthly blessings will flow in upon us. 

Let all examine, anxiously, where, when,' and how 
v2 



246 THE PROBE. 

they can be most useful ; learn their appropriate sphere 
of action, and then nobly, faithfully, discreetly, kindly, 
and in the name of the great Jehovah, perform their duty. 



VALVE. 

The intricacies of the first steam engine, constructed 
under the direction of Fulton, were so numerous and 
novel, that but few could be found, competent to take 
charge of them; and those who did assume the respon- 
sibility, were cautioned not to open the wrong valve. 

The intricacies and complexity of the machinery of 
human nature, as far exceed those of Fulton's steam 
engine, as they did those of a jack knife. To under- 
stand fully, the philosophy of the humaji mind, is an 
acquisition, as rare, as it is difficult and interesting. 
Many who have undertaken to fathom its depths and 
mark its soundings; have found themselves with field 
notes, involving problems they could not solve or de- 
monstrate, surrounded by mysteries they could not com- 
prehend or unfold. The combined powers of Physiog- 
nomy and Phrenology, can never make a chart, that 
will represent, fully and truly, all that lies beneath the 
ever-moving surface of human nature. The current 
of circumstances will produce its varying changes, the 
phenomena of mind will ever keep in advance of those 
who profess to unravel and demonstrate its arcana. It 
requires a Locke, to unlock the secret valves of its 
steam generators and more than an angel, to fully 
explore its secret chambers. Human nature is little 
understood, because most persons neglect to open the 
valve of self examination. Ignorant of their own men- 



VALVE. 247 

tal arrangement, and of the ever-revolving circuit of 
their own immortal minds ; men often open the wrong 
valve, start on false premises, and arrive at erroneous 
conclusions. 

This ignorance of human nature, which is far more 
extensive than the casual observer would suppose, 
often paralyzes the best intentions of benevolence and 
philanthropy, by generating error, not unfrequently 
imbibed, by imparting unsound instruction to the rising 
generation, or permitting them to grow up carelessly, 
perhaps ignorantly. 

In external matters of business and money-making, 
men are more careful to open the right valve ; bringing 
into action, judgment, skill, and taste. Their mechanic 
must understand his business ; their physician his prac- 
tice ; their counsellor his profession ; their book-keeper 
his duties ; but, when the machinery of the immortal 
mind is first put to work, unskilful engineers are too 
often employed, who open the wrong valve, and de- 
range the noble work that came from the hands of the 
Architect of worlds, perfect in all its parts. 

Parents and teachers, who do not correctly under- 
stand the machinery of mind, are ever in danger of 
opening the wrong valve, and of doing irreparable in- 
jury. Nor does the danger stop here. Ignorant pilots, 
incompetent engineers, and blind leaders of the blind; 
are ever urging their services, assuming the high 
responsibility of managing the valves of the mind, 
when matured by age. They are found in the walks 
of private life, and in all the departments of political, 
moral, and religious economy. 

The great object of every philanthropist is, to im- 
prove and better the condition of the human family. 



248 THE PROBE. 

To succeed in this noble enterprise, we must under- 
stand the delicate and sensitive formation of the mind 
of man, and the philosophy of his nature. Without 
this knowledge, we are liable to open the wrong valves, 
or open the right ones so unskilfully, as to produce 
confusion, perhaps mischief. 

The vicious are restrained and reclaimed by exam- 
ple, persuasion, reproof, and coercion; all of which 
should be consistent and harmonize. Where example 
fails, persuasion should be resorted to, in all the mild- 
ness and meekness of Christian love and charity. The 
minds of men may be led, but not forced. We can 
rarely drive vice out of a man, or a man out of vice. 
Reserved rights are tender parts of the machinery, the 
valve of interference must be cautiously opened. The 
minister who presents the precepts of religion, with 
all the ardor of heavenly love and affection, instead of 
pouring upon his hearers a stream of fire and brim- 
stone; does more to restrain vice, reclaim the wicked, 
and evangelize the world; than one who deals out 
terror and vengeance like a volcano. Simple truth, 
in its native dress, is more fascinating, than when 
decked by the ornaments of men. 

If example and persuasion fail, reproof must be ad- 
ministered, with all the kindness and tenderness we 
use, when we only attempt to persuade. To gain the 
esteem and confidence of a person we wish and hope 
to reclaim, is the safety valve, which alone can insure 
success. 

If all these fail to produce a reformation, and the 
recusant steps beyond ordinary vice, into the arena 
of crime ; the law valve must be opened, but with no 
less skill and precaution than the others. To do full 



VALVE. 249 

justice to the offender, and the offended majesty of the 
law; the judge and jury must understand the machinery 
of human nature, or they may open the vindictive valve, 
and inflict an injury, beyond their power to repair. 

In the ordinary concerns of life many open the wrong 
valve. When I see children growing up in vice, drink- 
ing in corruption like water, I conclude they are under 
the direction of a bad engineer — the wrong valve is 
opened — they are in danger of ultimate ruin. 

When I see young men in full chase after the phan- 
tom, Pleasure, neglecting all that makes the man; 
fonder of a mint julep than of Bacon or Locke; who 
prefer the theatre to the lecture room ; I fear they may 
neglect their safety valve, destroy their condenser, 
burst their boiler, and ruin the noble engine intrusted 
to them by the grand Architect of the universe, to 
whom they must render an account of the manner they 
have performed the important trust committed to their 
care. 

When I see a married man reeling from the grog 
shop to his home, there to meet a wife who is all loveli- 
ness ; children who are all affection ; perhaps a mother 
who is all tenderness ; a father who is all anxiety ; sis- 
ters who are all forgiveness ; I know he has opened the 
wrong valve, and, unless he quickly closes it, and opens 
the safety valve, he will run his ship on the rocks of dis- 
grace and poverty ; and will fall into the hands of those 
rigid wreckers, the constable, the sheriff, and the judges. 

When I see a man neglect his business, and embark 
on the murky and deceptive stream of politics, poor 
fellow, say I, you have opened the wrong valve, and 
most likely will land on the lee shore of disappointment. 
The political boat carries a large number of deck pas- 
32 



250 THE PROBE. 

sengers, who have coarse fare and wood in the bar- 
gain; but has a very small cab-in-et. 

When I see men run into wild and visionary specu- 
lations, working on the high pressure principle, make or 
break, they open the wrong valve, may break a shaft, 
and make themselves out of boat and home ; and leave 
their passengers to manage the wreck in their own way. 

When I see people forsaking the paths of wisdom, 
prudence and virtue ; ruining fortune, health, and repu- 
tation; and endangering their immortal souls, by an 
indulgence in the follies, fashions, and vices of the day; 
it is plain they have opened the wrong valves, and live 
in constant danger of an explosion; fearful and de- 
structive. To better insure safety, let all open the valve 
of self-examination, explore the labyrinthian mazes of 
their own immortal minds, become familiar with the 
safety valves there placed by a God of love, and learn 
from Him, and his book on this most important of all 
engineering; how, when, and where to use them, and 

NEVER OPEN THE WRONG VALVE. 



VANITY. 

This propensity pervades the whole human family, 
to a less or greater degree, as the atmosphere does the 
globe. It is the froth and effervescence of pride. The 
latter is unyielding haughtiness, the former, as soft, 
pliant, and light, as the down of a goose. It is selfish- 
ness modified and puffed up, like a bladder with wind. 
It is all action, but has no useful strength. It feeds 
voraciously and abundantly on the richest food that can 
be served up; and can live on less and meaner diet, 
than any thing of which we can have a conception. 



VANITY. 251 

The rich, poor, learned, ignorant, beautiful, ugly, high, 
low, strong, and weak — all have a share of Vanity. 
The humblest Christian is not free from it, and, when 
he is most humble, the devil will flatter his Vanity, by 
telling him of it. 

It is the weakest and most vulnerable point of human 
nature, and well does Satan know it, and most deeply 
should we deplore it. It was the wicket gate of Eden, 
through which the arch enemy entered, and took Mother 
Eve's citadel of Innocence. He tried the same plan 
with our Saviour, but was foiled in his base attempt to 
snatch the last ray of hope from our race. 

Because the woman first yielded to temptation, some 
have credited females with a larger share of this pro- 
pensity, than their lords; but the book of books says, 
" Surely, every man walketh in a vain show." 

Vanity, like the peacock its ugly feet, is ever striving 
to hide itself, and will even deny its own name. "J 
speak without vanity'" — Hush— you deceitful puff. You 
make men and women, the only animals that can laugh, 
the very ones to be laughed at. Dr. Johnson once re- 
marked, " When any one complains of the want of what 
he is known to possess in an eminent degree, he waits, 
with impatience, to be contradicted," and thus Vanity 
converts him into a fool and a liar, only to render him 
ridiculous. Vanity engenders affectation, mock mo-, 
desty, and a train of such like et ceteras; all subtracting 
from the real dignity of man. 

On the other hand, it feeds, with equal voracity on 
vulgarity, coarseness, and fulsome eccentricity — every 
thing by which the person can attract attention. It 
often takes liberality by the hand, prompts advice, ad- 
ministers reproof, and sometimes perches, visibly and 



252 THE PROBE. 

gaily, on the prayers and sermons in the pulpit. It is 
an every where and ever present principle of human 
nature — a wen on the heart of man ; less painful, but 
quite as loathsome as a cancer. It is, of all others, the 
most baseless propensity. 

We have nothing of which we should be vain, but 
much to induce humility. If we have any good quali- 
ties, they are the gift of God— in the best of men, there 
are bad ones enough, if they can see themselves, to 
strangle Vanity. Let every one guard against this all- 
pervading principle, and teach their children, that it is 
the shadow of a shade. 



VARIETY. 

Nature, through all her works, in great degree, 
Borrows a blessing from variety. — Scott. 

Variety has been called the spice of life, that gives 
it all its flavor — hence, many people use so much spice, 
that every thing becomes artificial, and nature no longer 
borrows blessings from Variety ; which must be govern- 
ed by discretion, and made subservient to the wants of 
nature ; not those of a vitiated taste and pampered ap- 
petite. Variety is the opposite of monotony, and should 
be so used, as to produce an equilibrium between the 
two — as designed by a wise Creator. Then, and only 
then, will the mind reap the fruit of both. Alone, the 
fruit of the former produces satiety — that of the latter, 
disgust. Frugality is the parent of health — if we eat 
of twenty dishes at the same meal, or of more than is 
necessary to support nature, we are not only liable to 
overload the digestive organs, but impose upon them a 



VARIETY. 253 

cumbrous load, always more burdensome to carry, than 
a consolidated one. 

The man who is engaged in several kinds of busi- 
ness at the same time, must have great versatility of 
talent, united with great energy ; or some of his irons 
will burn. Nature is generally best served, when we 
bend our energies to some particular occupation, which 
seems to indicate, that variety was created to please 
the fancy and exhilarate the mind, as a gentle wind 
does the body in a hot day. 

The reason why mechanical work is better executed 
in England, and some other parts of Europe, than in 
our country, arises from the fact, that where articles 
are composed of different parts, each piece is made by 
a separate workman ; whose whole energies are spent 
upon this single part — he works at nothing else. 

Here, American genius grasps the entire thing in all 
its parts, in one and the same person, and of course, 
work is not so rapidly, cheaply, or perfectly executed, 
as by- our more systematic neighbors, especially fine 
and delicate articles. 

Variety is most beautifully exemplified in our inter- 
course with each other. In our business transactions, 
several small coins of different denominations, are 
necessary to make change. So in our hourly and daily 
intercourse, there are numerous courtesies and kind- 
nesses, that should be as current, and more plenty, 
than half dimes and dimes. They give the finishing 
touch to our pleasures. Withhold them, a variety of 
ill feeling is the inevitable consequence. As in dealing, 
if you know a man expects the penny in change, or 
the half-penny, give it to him if in your power ; so in 
the kind offices of intercourse, give every one the small 

W 



254 THE PROBE. 

change as well as the large. Nothing promotes this 
kind of necessary change, unalloyed, so much as pure 
Religion. 



WIT. 

Sense is our helmet — wit is but a plume ; 

The plume exposes — 'tis our helmet saves. — Young. 

Genuine Wit may be compared to a kaleidoscope ; 
every time it is shook, it presents new and beautiful 
figures. The latter please the eye, and enables car- 
pet and calico manufacturers to obtain new designs for 
their work ; the former pleases us all over, without 
really benefitting us any where. Like lightning in a 
dark night, its illuminations are momentary in most 
cases. — Sheridans and Hopkinsons are very rare. 
They were as highly charged with Wit, as a cloud some- 
times is with the electric fluid, emitting flashes in such 
quick succession, that darkness is scarcely visible. 

Wit, like a coquette, is pleasing company for the 
time being ; but no man, knowing her character, courts 
her with the intention of marriage, and no sensible man 
is long edified with her company. 

Wit and wisdom may be found in the same person, 
but when the former is flashing, its glare hides the lat- 
ter. It serves to amuse and exhilarate, but rarely pro- 
duces profitable reflection, or elevates sound common 
sense. It is emphatically a plume, and exposes the 
head it ornaments, to many an arrow from the bow of 
revenge. Some wits had rather lose a friend than a 
keen, cutting remark upon him. This has often oc- 
curred, and is exchanging treasure for trash. Wit may 



WOMAN. 255 

obtain many conquests, but no willing subjects. It is 
like echo, it always has the last word. It is more dif- 
ficult to manage than steam, and often wounds by its 
explosions. It produces many bon mots, and but few 
wise sayings. It is like some heartless sportsmen, who 
shoot every bird indiscriminately, and kill more innocent 
ones, unfit for food, than hawks, that prey upon our 
poultry. 

In no way is Wit so pernicious, as when perverted 
to injure the Bible and the Christian religion. It 
then forfeits, to its possessor, the esteem of all good 
men ; and every flash serves to render the incumbent 
more obnoxious to them, and endangers his own hap- 
piness. 

Finally, flashing wit is an undefined and undefinable 
propensity — more to be admired than coveted ; more 
ornamental than useful ; more volatile than solid ; a 
dangerous, sharp-edged tool, often cutting its most 
skilful master ; rarely imparting substantial benefits to 
mankind ; but often serious injury. Let those who 
have it, endeavor to control it, and those who have it 
not, can make better use of the sense they have. 



WOMAN. 

The man who lays his hand upon a woman, 

Save in the way of kindness, is a wretch, 

Whom 'twere gross flattery to call a coward. — Shakespeare. 

To write an essay upon Woman, and do her impar- 
tial justice, is an imposing and delicate task. On no 
other subject have writers run into greater extremes, 
or differed more widely. The most nauseating flat- 



256 THE PROBE. 

tery, the keenest satire, and most vindictive anathe- 
mas ; have been showered upon Woman, in copious 
effusions. She merits neither, no more than man. 
The second cast of some metals refines them more, so 
only Woman differs from man in her nature. Frailty 
is stamped upon both. 

The man who flatters is apt to betray Woman. The 
man who condemns the sex as a species, has been un- 
fortunate in his associations, or in his advances — per- 
haps both. The vilest of men have been Women 
haters — good men — never. Dominic, the author of 
the infernal Inquisition, and sainted by the Roman 
Church, was so bitterly opposed to women, that he 
never would look one in the face. The man who cher- 
ishes a contempt for the female sex, shows that he has 
never been favored with the company of intelligent, re- 
fined Women, or that he has a very bad heart. It is 
an insult upon Deity, who made her, to advance the 
happiness of man, and if the end is not accomplished, 
the fault is his, not hers. Some men use their wives, 
as farmer's girls do split brooms ; when new, they 
only sweep the parlour with them ; then the kitchen, 
then scrub with them, then take them for oven brooms, 
and when the splits are burnt off, they use them for 
cow knockers. O ! shame, where is thy blush ! 

Man was made to protect, love, and cherish, not to 
undervalue, neglect, or abuse Woman. Treated, edu- 
cated, and esteemed, as she merits ; she rises in dig- 
nity, becomes the refiner, and imparts a milder, softer 
tone to man. No community has ever exhibited the 
refinements of civilization and social order, where Wo- 
men were held in contempt, and their rights not pro- 
perly respected and preserved. Degrade Woman, and 



WOMAN. 257 

you degrade man more. She is the fluid of the ther- 
mometer of society, placed there by the hand of the 
great Creator. Man may injure the instrument, but 
can neither destroy, or provide a substitute for the 
mercury. Her rights are as sacred as those of the 
male sex. Her mental powers are underrated by those 
only, who have either not seen, or were so blinded by 
prejudice, that they would not see their development. 
Educate girls as boys, put Women in the business 
arena designed for men, and they will acquit them- 
selves far better than boys and men would, if they were 
placed in the departments designed for females. 

As a species, the perception of Woman, especially 
in cases of emergency, is more acute than that of the 
male species ; unquestionably so designed by an all-wise 
Creator, for the preservation and perpetuity of our race. 
Her patience and fortitude, her integrity and constan- 
cy, her piety and devotion ; are naturally stronger than 
in the other sex. If she was first in transgression, she 
was first in the breach. Her seed has bruised the ser- 
pent's head. She stood by the expiring Jesus, wl^n 
boasting Peter and the other disciples had forsaken 
their Lord. She was the last at his tomb, embalmed 
his sacred body, and the first to discover that he had 
burst the bars of death, risen from the cleft rock, and 
triumphed over death and the grave. 

Under affliction, especially physical, the fortitude of 
Woman is proverbial. As a nurse, one female will 
endure more than five men. That she is more honest 
than man, our penitentiaries fully demonstrate. That 
she is more religiously inclined, the records of our 
churches will show. That she is more devotional, our 
prayer meetings will prove. 

33 w2 



258 THE PROBE. 

The fact of greater numbers of females becoming 
pious, than males ; has been often referred to by infi- 
dels, to prove the fallacy of religion, by asserting their 
inferiority in strength of mind. The argument proves 
the reverse in the abstract. Religion is the loftiest 
subject that can engage the attention of the human 
mind, and is more enrapturing to a strong, than a 
weak one. Base must be that heart, that aims to de- 
stroy the one and degrade the others, with the same 
poisoned arrow. The very fact, that Woman deprav- 
ed, excites in the breast of man, a stronger feeling of 
regret and disgust, than to see the male sex degraded; 
arises from our innate consciousness of her more re- 
fined nature, and her less frequent appearance in the 
arena of vice and crime. This trait in her character, 
is of vast importance in a moral and religious point of 
view. From the mother, the child receives its first 
impressions, which are most lasting. Her example is 
its model, her lessons its sentiments, her precepts, its 
laws. These impressions have a strong influence in 
forming the character of the adult. To their mothers, 
Washington, La Fayette, Sir Philip Sidney, and many 
other great and good men ; were indebted for their 
bright and noble career. To mothers, we are indebt- 
ed for the liberty we enjoy ; on mothers its perpe- 
tuity depends. 

Montesquieu truly observed, " The safety of a State 
depends on the virtue of Women," and I will add, the 
virtue of Women depends on their being properly 
treated by men. By elevating them in the scale of 
being and intelligence, their virtue is best protected. 
By elevation, I do not mean an introduction into the 
poisonous atmosphere of fashion and gaiety ; the danc- 



WOMAN. 259 

ing school, the ball room, the theatre, the levee, and 
whist parties ; that, in our day, are disqualifying thou- 
sands for the duties of wife and mother, by keeping 
them in utter ignorance of domestic life. By intelli- 
gence, I do not mean a knowledge of French, Italian, 
instrumental music, wax flowers, or fancy drawing ; 
that are also depriving many of that solid education, 
fit for every-day use, and calculated to improve the 
mind, correct the head, inform the understanding, and 
better the heart. The mother of Washington was 
ignorant of them all, and was never contaminated 
in the gay circles of the upper ten thousand. Let 
girls, no matter how wealthy their parents, be first 
thoroughly instructed in the solid branches of an Eng- 
lish education, including the Bible, and in all the duties 
of housewifery, from the cellar to the garret. Without 
these, they are not qualified to be wives or mothers. 
If they should never be under the necessity of labor- 
ing, they need all these, to enable them to manage the 
affairs of a house. Here is the sphere designed for 
Woman by the great Creator, where she should have 
as unlimited control, as the man in his sphere ; not to 
be cooped up, like a hen with chickens, but with as 
much liberty to go and come, as the interests of her 
department will permit ; and with as full scope for her 
mental powers, as man. In no circle is Woman as love- 
ly, as safe, and as useful, as in the domestic ; and on 
errands of mercy. Such was her circle when Greece and 
Rome flourished. When she became a student of the 
school of fashion and gaiety, they fell ; an awful warn- 
ing to those in our country, who are making fearful in- 
novations upon the republican simplicity and domestic 
habits, that characterized our nation fifty years ago. 



260 THE PROBE. 

I again repeat, that upon intelligent, domestic, pious 
mothers ; the perpetuity of our liberty depends. If we 
are sacrificed, it will be at the shrine of fashion, sen- 
sual pleasures, and infidelity, in their various shades ; 
which mutually beget each other, and have borne, on 
their fiery billows, the wrecks of numerous nations 
that once flourished as happily as our own — but have 
sunk to rise no more. 



XANTIPPE, 



Such women feel not, while they sigh and weep ; 
'Tis but their habit, — their affections sleep. 
They are like ice, that in our hands we hold, 
So very melting — yet so very cold. — Crabbe. 

Xantippe was the wife of the great Philosopher 
Socrates, and the greatest scold of which history gives 
any account. To use an illustration — She could scold 
at a target for hours together, hit the nail every shot, 
keep her own tally, and, like a well regulated air-gun, 
her ammunition was as exhaustless as the atmosphere. 
Whether this aided in producing that extraordinary 
composure, manifested by Socrates, when he took the 
fatal hemlock ordered by the tribunal that unjustly 
condemned him to death ; the historian does not inform 
us, but it is reasonable to suppose, that such a battery 
of words, discharging its whole fury upon even a phi- 
losopher, for fifty years, must have made some im- 
pression. 

This scolding propensity is still one of the ugly 
excrescences of human nature, and, occasionally, its 
thrilling music may be heard. Habit has much to do 



XANTIPPE. 261 

with it. Indulgence gives it strength, and greatly in- 
creases its volume, but not its melody. It converts a 
sour disposition into elixir vitriol, and a sweet one into 
vinegar. Of all scolds, the crying ones most disfigure 
the human face divine. They remind me of the flutter 
wheel of a saw-mill, clogged with brushwood. They 
produce no dry thunder gusts. 

This unfortunate, unnecessary, self tormenting, 
others provoking, all annoying habit, is not confined to 
females, as in the case of Xantippe. I have known 
some husbands and wives, who were all honey and dear v 
to each other, when entertaining company and on 
visits, who were both adepts in this business ; as their 
poor children and servants could attest. Occasionally, 
by way of change; they would open their battery on 
each other, and make the splinters fly freely, and some- 
times the crockery too. O shame ! 

I have known master mechanics, who converted 
their workshops into bedlams by scolding ; spoiling good 
apprentices, making the bad worse, and driving away 
each journeyman in quick succession. 

A scolding teacher in a school, is worse than New 
Orleans mosquitoes in dog days. I have known a scold- 
ing physician destroy the usefulness of brilliant talents, 
and they highly cultivated, by indulging in this mad 
freak. I have known scolding lawyers make them- 
selves a butt, and often injure, and sometimes ruin the 
cause of a client, by indulging in this sad propensity. 
I have known scolding preachers drive away all their 
parishioners, and have seldom known one to do any 
good. It is no where sanctioned or recommended in 
the Bible, in ethics, or by any philosopher, although 
some have been cynics. If once fixed on a person by 



/ 



262 THE PROBE. 

habit, it is difficult of cure. Solitude increases its 
force, like pent-up waters ; for the scold seldom stops 
to reflect. Religion has sometimes cured the disease, 
but, like cancers that are cut out, their fibrous roots are 
very apt to be left, and still torment the patient. Un- 
less nipt in the bud, this noxious plant will grow. As 
a continued dropping of cold water upon the head, will 
eventually stop the circulation of the blood, and pro- 
duce a most horrid death; so will perpetual scolding dry 
up the life-stream of affection, esteem, and respect ; 
and destroy all social order that comes under its pes- 
tiferous influence. Lay this to heart ye scolds, and 
pray God to give you grace to overcome this freezing, 
ice-bound habit, and thereby increase your own com- 
fort, and that of those around you. 



XENIADES, 



What is life % 
'Tis not to stalk about and draw fresh air, 
From time to time, or gaze upon the sun ! 

'Tis to be free. — Addison. 

Xeniades was a citizen of Corinth, who purchased 
Diogenes, when sold as a slave. He asked the tub 
philosopher what he could do. Command freemen, was 
the prompt and laconic reply ; which so pleased his 
purchaser, that he immediately set him at liberty. In- 
dependence, as is usual with true lovers of freedom, 
was a strong trait in the character of Diogenes. Alex- 
ander the Great once visited him in his tub, and asked 
what favor he could bestow upon him. Get out of my 
sunshine, was his quick and sarcastic answer. The 



XENIADES. 263 

conqueror of the world turned to his courtiers, and 
said, " Were I not Alexander, I should wish to be 
Diogenes." 

How few we have at the present day, who would not 
dwindle into pigmies, and weigh like a feather against 
a pound of lead, if put in the scale of patriotism by the 
side of a Diogenes. In his day, the friends of freedom 
loved and fought for it, for its own intrinsic worth, not 
for the sake of the loaves and fishes, as in modern 
times. Love of gain, fame, and honor, now form the 
great motive power that moves the multifarious wheels, 
wires, and pipes, of our political machinery. The 
towering waves of party spirit have long rolled over 
old school patriotism, and covered it with the alluvion 
of corruption. If not too deeply buried, it will yet 
spring up ; and our country will again reap a rich har- 
vest from this alluvial bottom. But it is high time the 
plough of correction and harrow of equality should be 
used. The few have governed the many long enough. 
If the deposite is suffered to accumulate, the substratum 
of patriotism cannot be reached with a common instru- 
ment. Even now, it would require a prairie plough to 
insure a good crop. The people, in mass, should be- 
come fully sensible, that they have something more to 
do, than "to stalk about, and draw fresh air, and gaze 
upon the sun." Let them reflect, analyze, judge, and 
act for themselves ; and with the independence and pa- 
triotism of a Diogenes, prove themselves worthy of 
freedom. Then, and not without, will it be preserved 
and perpetuated. Let demagogues, and all the con- 
taminating vices that have long polluted the political 
atmosphere of our country, be thrown over the dam, 
with all the accumulated flood wood, that is impeding 



/ 



264 THE PROBE. 

the originally pure stream of Liberty. Our nation 
may then reasonably ask, and expect to receive, the 
guardian care of Almighty God — not otherwise. 



YAW. 

This word is applied to a ship, signifying its un- 
steady and indirect motion on a great swell of the sea ; 
a fit emblem of the Yawing of man, in passing over the 
ocean of life. How few there are who carry ballast 
enough to keep their frail barks from careening at 
every swell that overtakes them. Many are thrown 
upon their beams ends, others are lost at the early 
part of their voyage. And why these shipwrecks ? 
Because the vessel is of bad materials, poorly con- 
structed, and not properly trimmed ; not for want of 
good materials within the reach of every one, and 
good workmen to put them together. 

The youth who rushes into the avenues of vice, will 
find himself with a bad hull, a rotten mainmast, a 
mildewed mainsail, a disordered cabin, a broken com- 
pass, a weak cable, a light anchor, his figure head de- 
faced, his helm unshipped, his ballast composed of bilge 
water, his cargo worthless, and alF his rigging unfit 
for sea. In this condition, unless thoroughly repaired 
by those master workmen, Virtue and Wisdom, his 
shipwreck is inevitable and speedy. 

Reader, look around, and see what multitudes are 
Yawing on the billows of life. See that young man, 
endowed with towering talent, polished by an expensive 
and refined education ; the hope of indulgent parents, 
and the pride of admiring friends — see his vessel ca- 



yaw. 265 

reening — his sails fluttering — his masts falling — his cable 
parted — he founders — one awful plunge — he sinks to 
rise no more. Alcohol unshipped his helm, destroyed 
his compass, forced him on the rocks, and plunged him 
in ruin, before he had lost sight of the shore from which 
he launched. 

Look at the multitudes, w r hose flimsy barks are con- 
structed of the light materials of sensual pleasure; 
their vessels cannot live on a rough sea for a moment. 
Look at those in the low black schooner, water logged 
with crime in all its varied forms — the billows of justice 
roll over them, and they disappear. See the gay mul- 
titudes putting to sea in their light canoes of fashion — 
they are tossed to and fro, like squirrels on a strip of 
bark ; and sometimes are driven back on shore, and 
apply to Virtue and Wisdom, to construct them some- 
thing more substantial. Look into the ship-yard of 
Folly and Vice, and you will see an endless variety of 
crafts, all enticing to the natural eye, but none of them 
sea-worthy — they will all Yaw those who embark in 
them, on the rocks of destruction. 

Wisdom, Virtue, and pure Religion, are the only 
safe workmen to be employed. They have none but 
substantial and durable materials, and do their work 
in the very best manner. Be not deceived in the firm 
— the name is Happiness and Heaven — index pointing 
upward. Embark in a craft from this ship-yard, if you 
desire to outride the storm of life, and be safely landed 
in the haven of enduring bliss and endless joy. 

34 X 



266 THE PROBE. 



YOUTH 



What is youth'? a smiling sorrow, 

Blithe to-day, and sad to-mono w ; 

Never fixed — for ever ranging, 

Laughing, weeping, doting, changing; 

Wild, capricious, giddy,, vain, 

Cloy'd with pleasure, nurs'd with pain. — Mrs. Robinson. 

Lacon has well remarked, that the excessess of 
Youth are drafts upon our old age, payable, with interest, 
about thirty years after date. Hurry and Cunning, 
are the two apprentices of their Despatch and Skill — 
but neither of them learn their master's trade. Youth 
are easily thrown off the track of happiness, and often 
get wofully bespatterd. They are usually strangers to 
the three modes of bearing up under the ills of life — 
indifference, philosophy, and religion. Their anticipa- 
tions are strong, their imaginations ever on the wing, 
their hopes extravagant, their judgment weak, their 
experience green ; and, like the kite, they are carried 
by various currents of wind, in a zigzag course, up to 
adult age. Some unfortunates are long reaching their 
majority, and are somewhat kitish through a long 
series of years. They chase and crush butterflies a 
long time. 

With these natural propensities, how important that 
our Youth receive, and duly improve the right kind of 
instruction during the proper season for improvement. 
The reasoning powers, and the capacity of discerning 
between good and evil, are early developed, by kind and 
judicious culture. But few are too obstinate to listen, 
and those few have been neglected in e*arly childhood. 



YOUTH. 267 

Induce them to listen, an affectionate course will usu- 
ally influence them to comply with advice, that they can 
readily see must enhance their happiness, and prepare 
them to become respectable and useful members of 
society. Inspire in them self respect, a most powerful 
lever to insure their safety. Teach them the proneness 
of human nature to yield to seducing pleasure, and the 
great safety in avoiding temptation, that they may be 
kept from evil. Teach them their importance as im- 
mortal beings, and curb their pride, by convincing them 
of their dependence on God for every thing. Show 
them that they must soon take the places of their fathers 
and mothers, on the great theatre of life; teach them 
to think and act like men and women; this will 
strengthen them and press upon them the vast import- 
ance of becoming thoroughly prepared to act well their 
part, when called on the stage of action. Teach them 
religion in its native purity and simplicity. Unfold to 
them its sublime beauties, and contrast them with the 
distorted features of vice. Picture to them the happy 
results of the former, and the direful effects of the latter. 
Do these things with all of our Youth, religion will 
prosper — our country is safe. Causes will produce their 
legitimate effects. 

To the dear Youth, I desire to say a few words. 
Listen to an old man, who feels a deep interest in your 
welfare, and well remembers when he was young, and 
can appreciate the increasing dangers to which you 
are exposed, as our country becomes more densely 
populated. 

Love, honor, and obey your parents. From them 
you received the first kind attentions of humanity. By 
them you have been fed, clothed, and preserved, under 



268 THE PROBE. 

God ; from your helpless infancy, to the present mo- 
ment. During your more tender age, when you knew 
no care, felt no anxiety, and realized no blessings ; 
their anxiety, care, and love ; impelled them to watch 
over you, and provide for your numerous and accumu- 
lating wants. They first opened the quarry of ignor- 
ance in which your intellect lay concealed, and aided 
in bringing your mental powers from the darkness of 
nature, to the light of intelligence. If your parents are 
Christians, they have taught you the necessity of shun- 
ning all vice, and of reposing your trust in the immacu- 
late Redeemer. For all this, your hearts should swell 
with gratitude ; you owe them a debt you can best pay, 
by loving, honoring, and obeying them, and departing 
from all evil, and walking in the ways of wisdom, 
virtue, and truth. 

Improve your minds by acquiring a good store of 
useful knowledge. If the tree put forth no blossoms in 
spring, we gather no fruit in autumn. If the spring- 
time of your lives passes without improvement ; if the 
vain allurements and trifling amusements of this deceit- 
ful and deceiving world engross your minds, to the ex- 
clusion of salutary improvement, the darkness of 
ignorance will remain stamped upon your mental 
powers, and will most likely push you into the murky 
waters of shame and disgrace. 

At the week day and Sabbath school, improve your 
time — love your teacher and fellow schoolmates, en- 
deavor to be first in your class, live in harmony and 
peace with every one, shun all vice, resist every temp- 
tation to do wrong ; and bear strongly in mind, that 
you will soon take our places — become fathers, mo- 
thers, teachers, ministers, statesmen, governors, presi- 



ZEAL. 269 

lents — and that the responsibility of preserving our 
country and nation, will soon devolve on you. Let 
these reflections raise you above the trifles that only 
amuse without benefiting you — learn to be men and 
women, while you are boys and girls. 

Above all, study the Bible — seek religion, and re- 
member your Creator in the days of your youth, that 
your years may be long, prosperous, useful, and happy. 



ZEAL. 

Zeal, without knowledge, is slavery in its highest 
refinement. It blinds its subjects, and renders them 
the dupes of knaves. They constitute a fifth class in 
the world, belonging not to the minority composed of 
great men ; the majority, composed of the small, the 
knaves, or the fools. They are mere automatons, 
walking, talking, fighting machines ; like FalstafF's 
soldiers, afraid of nothing but danger, and not quick in 
apprehending that. 

Zeal is rather paradoxical in its operations upon the 
human race. It is like some baulky horses — they work 
best when blinded. It is lamentable to see the want 
of Zeal in all the benevolent and holy enterprises of the 
day. Look at the cause of pure and undefiled religion 
— compare the Zeal of its professed friends, with that 
of the idolaters, the Mahometan, the wild Arab. For 
ardent fervor, burning zeal, untiring perseverance, and 
scrupulous punctuality ; the latter far surpass the most 
devoted Christian. How soon, how very soon, does the 
Zeal of our revivals die away. Our Zeal is only periodi- 
cal, and those periods of short duration. 
x2 



270 THE PROBE. 

The Bible cause, the missionary societies, tract dis- 
tribution, and Sabbath school operations ; are all 
zealously attended to but occasionally, and not long at 
a time. This is Zeal with knowledge misimproved — 
Zeal in causes worthy of the noblest energies and un- 
tiring exertions of man. These are self-evident facts, 
that demand the prayerful attention and most serious 
consideration of every Christian. This awful indiffer- 
ence, that steals over us like a nightmare; is deroga- 
tory to the Christian character, an incubus upon the 
cause of our Lord and Master, a drag-chain upon the 
churches of Christ, a clog that retards spiritual ad- 
vancement, a blot upon Christian graces, a heart- 
chilling disease, that affects the soul, as the ague does 
the body. It is the mesmerism of the devil, and the 
electro-magnetism of the world combined. 

Awake Christians, lest you sleep the sleep of death. 
Let your Zeal be according to knowledge — a Zeal that 
shall convince the world you are in earnest in a glori- 
ous cause — and prepare to strike a blow for your con- 
quering King, that shall resound through the wilderness 
of impenitent minds, and cause every tree to bud and 
blossom like the rose. 



ZENO. 

Zeno, the great philosopher, born at Cyprus, con- 
sidered silence one of the cardinal virtues. In a quali- 
fied sense this is true. It would be a virtue in those 
who never say a good thing, to be silent. It would be 
well to observe silence, rather than talk nonsense, as 
thousands do, in public speaking and in private conver- 



ZENO. 271 

sation. Our tongues are the most consummate prodi- 
gals on earth, with this advantage over others — the 
funds seem inexhaustible, although they may not be of 
much real value. With nothing are we as careless, as 
with the use of this little flippant member. We are 
not only prone to let it run too much at large, but we 
permit it to become unruly, and intrude upon the rights 
of others. It was this fact, undoubtedly, that induced 
Zeno so much to admire silence. But to impose si- 
lence, or prevent mischief, is out of the question. We 
are doomed to suffer from it. We may as soon expect 
the wind will cease to carry thistle seeds on their 
feather cars, and plant them a thousand miles from 
their parent stem. Pythagoras imposed silence on 
his pupils for days together, but the moment the in- 
junction was taken off, they gabbled more than ever, 
and much nonsense too. 

But if we cannot stop, we can improve, by lessening 
the quantity and bettering the quality of our talk. This 
is more desirable than silence. This is what was de- 
signed by our great Creator — that we should speak, 
but speak only good and no evil. It was a saying of 
Zeno, that men have but one tongue and two ears, and 
should therefore hear much and speak little. If this 
hint of nature was better observed, it would be of vast 
benefit to our race. That too much is said, none will 
deny. We should have less and wiser talk — more and 
better work, in every department of life, from the do- 
mestic circle, up to the presidential chair. I am aware 
the present large quantity gives employment to law- 
yers, justices, juries, legislators, paper-makers, and 
printers ; rather a problematical recommendation. 

Let us endeavor to keep our tongues with all dili- 



272 THE PROBE. 

gence, remembering, that he who offends not in word, 
and never indulges in idle talk, is a wise man. Let us 
devote our tongues to the improvement of mankind — 
the propagation of truth — the advancement of the glo- 
rious cause of our immaculate Redeemer — and in pre- 
paring ourselves and our fellow men, for that glorious 
rest and felicity, prepared for all the true followers of 
the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of all those 
who enlist under the banner of the cross, and hold out 
faithful to the end. Then we may hail with triumphant 
joy, the 

" Great day, for which all other days were made, 
For which earth rose from chaos — man from earth, 
And an eternity — the date of gods, 
Descended on poor earth — created man I" 



APPENDIX TO THE PROBE 



DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary 
for one people to dissolve the political bands which have con- 
nected them with another, and to assume among the powers 
of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws 
of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to 
the opinions of mankind, requires that they should declare the 
causes which impel them to the separation. 

We hold these truths to be self-evident : That all men are 
created equal : that they are endowed by their Creator with 
certain unalienable rights : that among these are life, liberty, 
and the pursuit of happiness: that, to secure these rights, 
governments are instituted among men, deriving their just 
powers from the consent of the governed : that whenever any 
form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the 
right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a 
new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and 
organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most 
likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, 
will dictate, that governments, long established, should not be 
changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all ex- 
perience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, 
while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing 
the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long 
train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same 
1 A 1 



2 APPENDIX 

object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despot- 
ism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such govern- 
ment, and to provide new guards for their future security. 
Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies ; and 
such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their 
former systems of government. The history of the present 
king of Great Britain, is a history of repeated injuries and 
usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an 
absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be 
submitted to a candid world. 

He has refused his assent to laws the most wholesome and 
necessary for the public good. 

He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate 
and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation, 
till his assent should be obtained ; and when so suspended, he 
has utterly neglected to attend to them. He has refused to 
pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of peo- 
ple, unless those people would relinquish the right of repre- 
sentation in the legislature ; a right inestimable to them, and 
formidable to tyrants only. 

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, 
uncomfortable, and distant from the repository of their public 
records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance 
with his measures. 

He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for op- 
posing, with manly firmness, his invasions on the rights of the 
people. 

He has refused for a long time after such dissolutions, to 
cause others to be elected ; whereby the legislative powers, in- 
capable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large, 
for their exercise; the state remaining, in the mean time, ex- 
posed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convul- 
sions within. 

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these states ; 
for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of for- 
eigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration 
hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands. 



TO THE PROBE. O 

He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing 
his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers. 

He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the 
tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their 
salaries. 

He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither 
swarms of officers, to harass our people, and eat out their 
substance. 

He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies, 
without the consent of our legislatures. 

He has affected to render the military independent of, and 
superior to, the civil power. 

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction 
foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws ; 
giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation : 

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us : 

For protecting them by a mock trial, from punishment for 
any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of 
these states : 

For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world : 

For imposing taxes on us without our consent : 

For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury : 

For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended 
offences : 

For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neigh- 
bouring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, 
and enlarging its boundaries, so as to render it at once an ex- 
ample and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule 
in these colonies : 

For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable 
laws, and altering, fundamentally, the forms of our governments : 

For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves 
invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. 

He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his 
protection, and waging war against us. 

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our 
towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. 



4 APPENDIX 

He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign merce- 
naries to complete the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, 
already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy, scarcely 
paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the 
head of a civilized nation. 

He has constrained our fellow citizens, taken captive on the 
high seas, to bear arms against their country, to become the 
executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves 
by their hands. 

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has 
endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the 
merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare is an 
undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions. 

In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for 
redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have 
been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose char- 
acter is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is 
unfit to be the ruler of a free people. 

Nor have we been wanting in attentions to our British 
brethren. We have warned them, from time to time, of attempts 
by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over 
us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emi- 
gration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native 
justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the 
ties of our common kindred, to disavow these usurpations, 
which would inevitably interrupt our connections and corres- 
pondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and 
of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the neces- 
sity which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold 
the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends. 

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of 
America, in general congress assembled, appealing to the Su- 
preme Judge of the world, for the rectitude of our intentions, 
do, in the name and by the authority of the good people of these 
colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these United Colo- 
nies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent 
states ; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the 



TO THE PROBE. O 

British crown, and that all political connection between them 
and the State of Great Britain, is, and ought to be, totally dis- 
solved ; and that, as free and independent states, they have full 
power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish 
commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent 
states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, 
with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we 
mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our 
sacred honour. 

The foregoing declaration was, by order of congress, en- 
grossed, and signed by the following members : 

JOHN HANCOCK. 

NEW HAMPSHIRE. 

Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton. 

MASSACHUSETTS BAY. 

Samuel Adams, John Adams, 

Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry. 

RHODE ISLAND, &,C. 

Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery. 

CONNECTICUT. 

Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntingdon, 

William Williams, Oliver Wolcott. 

NEW YORK. 

William Floyd, Philip Livingston, 

Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris. 

NEW JERSEY. 

Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, 
John Hart, Abraham Clark. 

PENNSYLVANIA. 

Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, 
John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, 

George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross. 

DELAWARE. 

Cesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas M'Kean. 
a2 



APPENDIX TO THE PROBE. 
MARYLAND. 

Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, 

Charles Carroll, of Carrollton. 

VIRGINIA. 

George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, 

Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, 

Thomas Nelson, Jr. Francis Lightfoot Lee, 

Carter Braxton. 

NORTH CAROLINA. 

William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn. 

SOUTH CAROLINA. 

Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr. 

Thomas Lynch, Jr. Arthur Middleton. 

GEORGIA. 

Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton. 



^ 



CONSTITUTION 

OF THE UNITED STATES 



PREAMBLE. 

We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more 
perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, pro- 
vide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and 
secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, 
do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States 
of America. 

ARTICLE I. 

Of the Legislature. 

SECTION I. 

1. All legislative powers herein granted, shall be vested in a 
congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate 
and House of Representatives. 

SECTION II. 

1. The House of Representatives shall be composed of mem- 
bers chosen every second year by the people of the several 
states ; and the electors in each state shall have the qualifica- 
tions requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the 
state legislature. 

2. No person shall be a representative who shall not have 
attained to the age of twenty-five years, and been seven years a 
citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, 
be an inhabitant of that state in which he shall be chosen. 

3. Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned 
among the several states which may be included within this 



8 APPENDIX 

union, according to their respective numbers, which shall be 
determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, in- 
cluding those bound to service for a term of years, and exclud- 
ing Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons. The 
actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the 
first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within 
every subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as they 
shall by law direct. The number of representatives shall not 
exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each state shall have 
at least one representative ; and until such enumeration shall 
be made, the state of New Hampshire shall be entitled to choose 
three ; Massachusetts eight ; Rhode Island and Providence 
Plantations one; Connecticut five ; Neio York six; New Jer- 
sey four; Pennsylvania eight; Delaware one; Maryland six; 
Virginia ten ; North Carolina five ; South Carolina five ; and 
Georgia three. 

4. When vacancies happen in the representation from any 
state, the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election 
to fill up such vacancies. 

5. The House of Representatives shall choose their speaker 
and other officers, and shall have the sole power of impeach- 
ment. 

SECTION III. 

1. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two 
senators from each state, chosen by the legislature thereof, for 
six years ; and each senator shall have one vote. 

2. Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence 
of the first election, they shall be divided, as equally as may be, 
into three classes. The seats of the senators of the first class 
shall be vacated at the expiration of the second year, of the 
second class at the expiration of the fourth year, and the third 
class at the expiration of the sixth year, so that one third may 
be chosen every second year ; and if vacancies happen, by re- 
signation or otherwise, during the recess of the legislature of 
any state, the executive thereof may make temporary appoint- 
ments until the next meeting of the legislature, which shall 
then fill such vacancies. 



TO THE PROBE. » 

3. No person shall be a senator who shall not have attained 
to the age of thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the 
United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant 
of that state for which he shall be chosen. 

4. The Vice President of the United States shall be President 
of the Senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally 
divided. 

5. The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a 
president pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice President, or 
when he shall exercise the office of President of the United 
States. 

6. The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeach- 
ments. When sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath 
or affirmation. When the President of the United States is 
tried, the chief justice shall preside; and no person shall be 
convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the mem- 
bers present. 

7. Judgment in case of impeachment shall not extend farther 
than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and 
enjoy any office of honour, trust, or profit, under the United 
States ; but the party convicted shall, nevertheless, be liable 
and subject to indictment, trial, judgment, and punishment ac- 
cording to law. 

SECTION IV. 

1. The times, places, and manner of holding elections for 
senators and representatives, shall be prescribed in each state by 
the legislature thereof; but the congress may at any time, by 
law, make or alter such regulations, except as to the place of 
choosing senators. 

2. The congress shall assemble at least once in every year, 
and such meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, 
unless they shall by law appoint a different day. 

section v. 

1. Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns, 
and qualifications of its own members ; and a majority of each 



10 APPENDIX 

shall constitute a quorum to do business ; but a smaller num- 
ber may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to 
compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner and 
under such penalties as each House may provide. 

2. Each House may determine the rule of its proceedings, 
punish its members for disorderly behaviour, and, with the 
concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member. 

3. Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and 
from time to time publish the same, excepting such parts as 
may in their judgment require secrecy; and the yeas and nays 
of the members of either House, on any question, shall, at the 
desire of one-fifth of those present, be entered on the journal. 

4. Neither House during the session of Congress shall, with- 
out the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, 
nor to any other place than that in which the two houses shall 
be sitting. 

SECTION VI. 

1. The senators and representatives shall receive a compen- 
sation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out 
of the treasury of the United States. They shall in all cases, 
except treason, felony, and breach of the peace, be privileged 
from arrest during their attendance at the session of their re- 
spective Houses, and in going to or returning from the same; 
and for any speech or debate in either House, they shall not be 
questioned in any other place. 

2. No senator or representative shall, during the time for 
which he was elected, be appointed to any civil office under 
the authority of the United States which shall have been crea- 
ted, or the emoluments whereof shall have been increased, dur- 
ing such time ; and no person holding any office under the 
United States shall be a member of either House.during his 
continuance in office. 

SECTION VII. 

1. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House 
of Representatives ; but the Senate may propose or concur with 
amendments, as on other bills. 



TO THE PROBE. 11 

2. Every bill which shall have passed the House of Repre- 
sentatives and the Senate shall, before it become a law, be pre- 
sented to the President of the United States ; if he approve, he 
shall sign it; but if not, he shall return it, with his objections, 
to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter 
the objection at large on their journal, and proceed to recon- 
sider it If, after such reconsideration, two-thirds of that House 
shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the 
objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be 
reconsidered, and if approved by two-thirds of that House, it 
shall become a law. But in all such cases the votes of both 
Houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names 
of the persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered 
on the Journal of each House respectively. If any bill shall 
not be returned by the President within ten days (Sundays ex- 
cepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the same shall 
be a law in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the Con- 
gress by their adjournment prevent its return, in which case it 
shall not be a law. 

3. Every order, resolution, or vote to which the concurrence 
of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary, 
(except a question of adjournment,) shall be presented to the 
President of the United States ; and before the same shall take 
effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, 
shall be repassed by two-thirds of the Senate and House of 
Representatives, according to the rules and limitations pre- 
scribed in the case of a bill. 

SECTION VIII. 

The Congress shall have power — 

1. To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to 
pay the debts and provide for the common defence and general 
welfare of the United States ; but all duties, imposts, and excises 
shall be uniform throughout the United States : 

2. To borrow money on the credit of the United States : 

3. To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among 
the several states, and with the Indian tribes : 



12 APPENDIX 

4. To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform 
laws on the subject of bankruptcies, throughout the United 
States : 

5. To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign 
coin, and fix the standard of weights and measures : 

6. To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the se- 
curities and current coin of the United States : 

7. To establish post offices and post roads : 

8. To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by 
securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclu- 
sive right to their respective writings and discoveries : 

9. To constitute tribunals inferior to the supreme court : 

10. To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on 
the high seas, and offences against the law of nations : 

11. To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and 
make rules concerning captures on land and water : 

12. To raise and support armies ; but no appropriation of 
money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years : 

13. To provide and maintain a navy : 

14. To make rules for the government and regulation of the 
land and naval forces : 

15. To provide for calling forth -the militia to execute the 
laws of the Union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions : 

16. To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the 
militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employ- 
ed in the service of the United States, reserving to the states 
respectively the appointment of the officers and the authority 
of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by 
Congress : 

17. To exercise exclusive legislation, in all cases whatsoever, 
over such district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by 
cession of particular states and the acceptance of Congress, be- 
come the seat of government of the United States, and to exer- 
cise like authority over all places purchased, by the consent of 
the legislature of the state in which the same shall be, for the 
erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock-yards, and other 
needful buildings : and 



TO THE PROBE. 13 

18. To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper 
for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other 
powers vested by this constitution in the government of the 
United States, or any department or officer thereof. 

SECTION IX. 

1. The migration or importation of such persons as any of 
the states now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not 
be prohibited by the Congress prior to the year one thousand 
eight hundred and eight,, but a tax or duty may be imposed on 
such importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each person. 

2. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be 
suspended unless when, in case of rebellion or invasion, the 
public safety may require it. 

3. No bill of attainder, or ex-post-facto law, shall be passed. 

4. No capitation or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in 
proportion to the census or enumeration hereinbefore directed 
to be taken. 

5. No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from 
any state. No preference shall be given by any regulation of 
commerce or revenue to the ports of one state over those of 
another; nor shall vessels bound to or from one state be 
obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in another. 

6. No money shall be drawn from the treasury but in conse- 
quence of appropriations made by law ; and a regular statement 
and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public 
money shall be published from time to time. 

7. No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States, 
and no person holding any office of profit or trust under them 
shall, without the consent of Congress, accept of any present, 
emolument, office, or title of any kind whatever, from any king, 
prince, or foreign state. 



SECTION X. 



J . No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confede- 
ration ; grant letters of marque and reprisal; coin money; 
emit bills of credit ; make any thing but gold and silver coin a 

B 



14 APPENDIX 

tender in payment of debts ; pass any bill of attainder, ex-post- 
facto law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts ; or grant 
any title of nobility. 

2. No state shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any 
imposts or duties on imports or exports, except what may be 
absolutely necessary for executing its inspection laws ; and the 
nett produce of all duties and imposts laid by any state on im- 
ports or exports shall be for the use of the treasury of the 
United States, and all such laws shall be subject to the revision 
and control of Congress. No state shall, without the consent 
of Congress, lay any duty on tonnage, keep troops or ships of 
war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with 
another state, or with a foreign power, or engage in war, unless 
actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as will not admit 
of delay. 

ARTICLE II. 

Of the Executive. 

SECTION I. 

1. The executive power shall be vested in a President of the 
United States of America. He shall hold his office during the 
term of four years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen 
for the same term, be elected as follows : — 

2. Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the legislature 
thereof may direct, a number of electors, equal to the whole 
number of senators and representatives to which the state may 
be entitled in Congress ; but no senator or representative, or 
person holding any office of trust or profit under the United 
States, shall be appointed an elector. 

3. The electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote 
by ballot for two persons, of whom one at least shall not be an 
inhabitant of the same state with themselves. And they shall 
make a list of all the persons voted for, and of the number of 
votes for each; which list they shall sign and certify, and 
transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United 
States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President 



TO THE PROBE. 15 

of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of 
Representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall 
then be counted. The person having the greatest number of 
votes shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the 
whole number of electors appointed ; and if there be more than 
one who have such majority, and have an equal number of 
votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately 
choose by ballot one of them for President ; and if no person 
have a majority, then, from the five highest on the list, the said 
House shall in like manner choose the President. But in 
choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the 
representation from each state having one vote ; a quorum for 
this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two- 
thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be 
necessary to a choice. In every case after the choice of the 
President, the person having the greatest number of votes of the 
electors shall be Vice President. But if there should remain 
two or more who have equal votes, the Senate shall choose 
from them by ballot the Vice President. 

4. The Congress may determine the time of choosing the 
electors and the day on which they shall give their votes, which 
day shall be the same throughout the United States. 

5. No person except a natural-born citizen, or a citizen of the 
United States at the time of the adoption of this constitution, 
shall be eligible to the office of President ; neither shall any 
person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to 
the age of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident 
within the United States. 

6. In case of the removal of the President from office, or of 
his death, resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and 
duties of the said office, the same shall devolve on the Vice 
President; and the Congress may by law provide for the case 
of removal, death, resignation, or inability, both of the President 
and Vice President, declaring what officer shall then act as 
President ; and such officer shall act accordingly, until the dis- 
ability be removed or a President shall be elected. 

7. The President shall, at stated times, receive for his services 



16 APPENDIX 

a compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished 
during the period for which he shall have been elected, and he 
shall not receive within that period any other emolument from 
the United States, or any of them. 

8. Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall 
take the following oath or affirmation : — 

a I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully exe- 
cute the office of President of the United States, and will, to the 
best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the constitution 
of the United States." 

SECTION II. 

1. The President shall be commander-in-chief of the army 
and navy of the United States and of the militia of the several 
states, when called into the actual service of the United States ; 
he may require the opinion in writing of the principal officer in 
each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to 
the duties of their respective offices; and he shall have power 
to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United 
States, except in cases of impeachment. 

2. He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent 
of the Senate, to make treaties, provided two-thirds of the sena- 
tors present, concur : and he shall nominate, and by and with the 
advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint ambassadors, 
other public ministers and consuls, judges of the supreme court, 
and all other officers of the United States, whose appointments 
are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be es- 
tablished by law. But the Congress may by law vest the ap- 
pointment of such inferior officers as they think proper in the 
President alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of de- 
partments. 

3. The President shall have power to fill up all vacancies 
that may happen during the recess of the Senate, by granting 
commissions, which shall expire at the end of the next session. 

SECTION III. 

1. He shall, from time to time, give to Congress information 
of the state of the Union, and recommend to their consideration 



TO THE PROBE. 17 

such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he 
may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both Houses, or either 
of them; and in case of disagreement between them, with 
respect to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn them to 
such time as he shall think proper; he shall receive ambassa- 
dors and other public ministers ; he shall take care that the 
laws be faithfully executed; and shall commission all the officers 
of the United States. 

SECTION IV. 

1. The President, Vice President, and all civil officers of the 
United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for 
and conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and 
misdemeanors. 

ARTICLE III. 

Of the Judiciary. 

SECTION I. 

1. The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in 
one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as Congress may, 
from time to time order and establish. The judges, both of the 
supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good 
behaviour ; and shall, at stated times, receive for their services 
a compensation, which shall not be diminished during their 
continuance in office. 

SECTION II. 

1. The judicial power shall extend to all cases in law and 
equity arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United 
States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their 
authority ; to all cases affecting ambassadors, other public min- 
isters, and consuls; to all cases of admiralty and maritime juris- 
diction ; to controversies to which the United States shall be a 
party ; to controversies between two or more states ; between 
a state and citizens of another state ; between citizens of differ- 
ent states ; between citizens of the same state, claiming lands 
3 b 2 



18 APPENDIX. 

under grants of different states ; and between a state, or the 
citizens thereof and foreign states, citizens, or subjects. 

2. In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, 
and consuls, and those in which a state shall be a party, the 
Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction. In all the other 
cases before mentioned the Supreme Court shall have appellate 
jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions, and 
under such regulations as Congress shall make. 

3. The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, 
shall be by jury, and such trial shall be held in the state where 
the said crimes shall have been committed; but when not com- 
mitted within any state, the trial shall be at such place or places 
as Congress may by law have directed. 

SECTION III. 

1. Treason against the United States shall consist only in 
levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving 
them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason, 
unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, 
or confession in open court. 

2. Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of 
treason ; but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of 
blood, or forfeiture, except during the life of the person at- 
tainted. 

ARTICLE IV. 

Miscellaneous. 

SECTION I. 

1. Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the 
public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other 
state. And Congress may, by general laws, prescribe the man- 
ner in which such acts, records, and proceedings shall be proved, 
and the effect thereof. 

SECTION II. 

1. The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all the privi- 
leges and immunities of citizens in the several states. 

2. A person charged in any state with treason, felony, or 



TO THE PROBE. 19 

other crime, who shall flee from justice and be found in another 
state, shall, on demand of the executive authority of the state 
from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the state 
having jurisdiction of the crime. 

3. No person held to service or labour in one state, under 
the laws thereof, escaping into another shall, in consequence 
of any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such ser- 
vice or labour ; but shall be delivered up on claim of the party 
to whom such service or labour may be due. 

SECTION III. 

1. New states may be admitted by Congress into this union; 
but no new state shall be formed or erected within the jurisdic- 
tion of any other state, nor any state be formed by the junction 
of two or more states, or parts of states, without the consent 
of the legislatures of the states concerned, as well as of Congress. 

2. Congress shall have power to dispose of, and make all 
needful rules and regulations respecting the territory, or other 
property belonging to the United States ; and nothing in this 
constitution shall be so construed as to prejudice any claims of 
the United States or of any particular state. 

SECTION IV. 

1. The United States shall guarantee to every state in this 
union a republican form of government, and shall protect each 
of them against invasion ; and, on application of the legislature, 
or of the executive (when the legislature cannot be convened), 
against domestic violence. 

ARTICLE V. 

Of Amendments. 
1. Congress, whenever two-thirds of both houses shall deem 
it necessary, shall propose amendments to this constitution ; or, 
on the application of the legislatures of two-thirds of the several 
states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, 
in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part 
of this constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three- 
fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three-fourths 



20 APPENDIX. 

thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be 
proposed by Congress ; provided, that no amendment which 
may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and 
eight, shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in 
the ninth section of the first article ; and that no state, without 
its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the senate. 

ARTICLE VI. 

Miscellaneous. 

1. All debts contracted, and engagements entered into, before 
the adoption of this constitution, shall be as valid against the 
United States under this constitution, as under the confederation. 

2. This constitution, and the laws of the United States which 
shall be made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made, or 
which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, 
shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every 
state shall be bound thereby, any thing in the constitution or 
laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding. 

3. The senators and representatives before mentioned, and 
the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive 
and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several 
states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation to support this 
constitution : but no religious test shall ever be required as a 
qualification to any office, or public trust, under the United 
States. 

ARTICLE VII. 

Of the Ratification. 
1. The ratification of the conventions of nine states shall be 
sufficient for the establishment of this constitution between the 
states so ratifying the same. 

Done in Convention, by the unanimous consent of the states 
present, the seventeenth day of September, in the year of our 
Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, and of 
the independence of the United States of America the twelfth. 
In witness whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names 

GEORGE WASHINGTON, 
President, and Deputy from Virginia. 



TO THE PROBE. 21 

NEW HAMPSHIRE. 

John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman. 

MASSACHUSETTS. 

Nathaniel Gorman, Rufus King. 

NEW JERSEY. 

William. Livingston, David Brearly, 

William Patterson, Jonathan Dayton. 

PENNSYLVANIA. 

Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, 

Robert Morris, George Clymer, 

Thomas Fitzsimmons, Jared Ingersoll, 

James Wilson, Govemeur Morris. 

DELAWARE. 

George Read, Gunning Bedford, jun. 

John Dickinson, Richard Bassett, Jacob Broom. 

CONNECTICUT. 

William Samuel Johnson, Roger Sherman. 

NEW YORK. 

Alexander Hamilton. 

MARYLAND. 

Tames M'Henry, Daniel of St. Tho. Jenifer, Daniel Carroll 

VIRGINIA. 

John Blair, James Madison, jun. 

NORTH CAROLINA. 

William Blount, Richard Dobbs Spaight, Hugh Williamson. 

SOUTH CAROLINA. 

John Rutledge, Chas. Cotesworth Pinckney, 

Charles Pinckney, Pierce Butler. 

GEORGIA. 

William Few, Abraham Baldwin. 

Attest, WILLIAM JACKSON, Secretary. 



22 APPENDIX. 



AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION. 

Art. 1. Congress shall make no law respecting an establish- 
ment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or 
abridging the freedom of speech or of the press ; or the right 
of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the govern- 
ment for a redress of grievances. 

Art. 2. A well-regulated militia being necessary to the secu- 
rity of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms 
shall not be infringed. 

Art. 3. No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in 
any house without the consent of the owner ; nor in time of 
war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. 

Art. 4. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, 
houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and 
seizures, shall not be violated ; and no warrants shall issue but 
upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and par- 
ticularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons 
or things to be seized. 

Art. 5. No person shall be held to answer for a capital or 
otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indict- 
ment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or 
naval forces, or in the militia when in actual service in time of 
war or public danger ; nor shall any person be subject for the 
same offence to be put twice in jeopardy of life or limb ; nor 
shall be compelled, in any criminal case, to be witness against 
himself; nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without 
due process of law ; nor shall private property be taken for 
public use without just compensation. 

Art. 6. In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall enjoy 
the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the 
state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, 
which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, 
and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation ; 
to be confronted with the witnesses against him ; to have com- 



TO THE PROBE. 23 

pulsory process fop obtaining witnesses in his favour ; and to 
have the assistance of counsel for his defence. 

Art. 7. In suits at common law, where the value in contro- 
versy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall 
be preserved ; and no fact tried by jury shall be otherwise re- 
examined in any court of the United States than according to 
the rules of the common law. 

Art. 8, Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive 
fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. 

Art. 9. The enumeration in the constitution of certain rights, 
shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by 
the people. 

Art. 10. The powers not delegated to the United States by 
the constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved 
to the states respectively or to the people. 

Art. 11. The judicial power of the United States shall not be 
construed to extend to any suit in law or equity commenced or 
prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another 
state, or by citizens or subjects of another state, or by citizens 
or subjects of any foreign state. 

Art. 12. § 1. The electors shall meet in their respective states, 
and vote by ballot for President and Vice President, one of whom, 
at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with them- 
selves ; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as 
President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice 
President ; and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted 
for as President and of all persons voted for as Vice President, 
and of the number of votes for each, which list they shall sign and 
certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the 
United States, directed to the President of the Senate; the Presi- 
dent of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House 
of Representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall 
then be counted ; the person having the greatest number of 
votes for President shall be the President, if such number be a 
majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and if no 
person have such a majority, then from the persons having the 
highest numbers, not exceeding three, on the list of those voted 



24 APPENDIX TO THE PROBE. 

for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose im- 
mediately by ballot the President. But in choosing the Presi- 
dent, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from 
each state having one vote ; a quorum for this purpose shall 
consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, 
and a majority of all the stales shall be necessary to a choice. 
And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President 
whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before 
the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice President 
shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other con- 
stitutional disability of the President. 

2. The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice 
President shall be the Vice President, if such number be a ma- 
jority of the whole number of electors appointed ; and if no 
person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on 
the list the Senate shall choose the Vice President : a quorum 
for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number 
of senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be neces- 
sary to a choice. 

3. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of 
President shall be eligible to that of Vice President of the United 
States. 



WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL ADDRESS. 

TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES 

Friends and Fellow Citizens, 

The period for a new election of a citizen, to administer the 
executive government of the United States, being not far dis- 
tant, and the time actually arrived when your thoughts must be 
employed in designating the person who is to be clothed with 
that important trust ; it appears to me proper, especially as it 
may conduce to a more distinct expression of the public voice, 
that I should now apprise you of the resolution I have formed, 
to decline being considered among the number of those out of 
whom a choice is to be made. 

I beg you, at the same time, to do me the justice to be as- 
sured, that this resolution has not been taken without a strict 
regard to all the considerations appertaining to the relation 
which binds a dutiful citizen to his country, and that, in with- 
drawing the tender of service, which silence in my situation 
might imply, I am influenced by no diminution of zeal for your 
future interest, no deficiency of grateful respect for your past 
kindness; but am supported by a full conviction, that the step 
is compatible with both. 

The acceptance of, and continuance hitherto in, the office to 
which your suffrages have twice called me, have been a uniform 
sacrifice of inclination to the opinion of duty, and to a defer- 
ence for what appeared to be your desire. I constantly hoped, 
that it would have been much earlier in my power, consistently 
with motives which I was not at liberty to disregard, to return 
to that retirement from which J had been reluctantly drawn. 
The strength of my inclination to do this, previous to the last 
election, had even led to the preparation of an address to de- 
clare it to you. But mature reflection on the then perplexed 
4 C 25 



26 APPENDIX. 

and critical posture of our affairs with foreign uations, and the 
unanimous advice of persons entitled to my confidence, im- 
pelled me to abandon the idea. 

I rejoice that the state of your concerns, external as well as 
internal, no longer renders the pursuit of inclination incom- 
patible with the sentiment of duty or propriety ; and am 
persuaded, whatever partiality may be retained for my services, 
that, in the present circumstances of our country, you will not 
disapprove my determination to retire. 

The impressions with which I first undertook the arduous 
trust, were explained on the proper occasion. In the discharge 
of this trust, I will only say, that I have with good intentions 
contributed towards the organization and administration of the 
government, the best exertions of which a very fallible judg- 
ment was capable. Not unconscious, in the outset, of the in- 
feriority of my qualifications, experience in my own eyes, 
perhaps still more in the eyes of others, has strengthened the 
motives to diffidence of myself: and every day the increasing 
weight of years admonishes me more and more that the shade 
of retirement is as necessary to me as it will be welcome. Sa- 
tisfied that if any circumstances have given peculiar value to 
my services, they were temporary, I have the consolation to 
believe, that while choice and prudence invite me to quit the 
political scene, patriotism does not forbid it. 

In looking forward to the moment which is intended to 
terminate the career of my public life, my feelings do not per- 
mit me to suspend the deep acknowledgment of that debt of 
gratitude which I owe to my beloved country, for the many 
honours it has conferred upon me; still more for the steadfast 
confidence with which it has supported me ; and for-the oppor- 
tunities I have thence enjoyed of manifesting my inviolable 
attachment, by services faithful and persevering, though in use- 
fulness unequal to my zeal. If benefits have resulted to our 
country from these services, let it always be remembered to 
your praise, and as an instructive example in our annals, that, 
under circumstances in which the passions, agitated in every 
direction, were liable to mislead ; amidst appearances some- 



TO THE PROBE. 27 

times dubious ; vicissitudes of fortune often discouraging ; in 
situations in which not unfrequently want of success has coun- 
tenanced the spirit of criticism, the constancy of your support 
was the essential prop of the efforts, and a guarantee of the 
plans by which they were effected. Profoundly penetrated 
with this idea, I shall carry it with me to my grave, as a strong 
incitement to unceasing vows that Heaven may continue to you 
the choicest tokens of its beneficence ; that your union and 
brotherly affection may be perpetual ! that a free constitution, 
which is the work of your hands may be sacredly maintained, 
that its administration, in every department, may be stamped 
with wisdom and virtue, that, in fine, the happiness of the 
people of these states, under the auspices of Heaven, may be 
made complete, by so careful a preservation and so prudent a 
use of liberty, as will acquire to them the glory of recom- 
mending it to the applause, the affection, and the adoption of 
every nation which is yet a stranger to it. 

Here, perhaps, I ought to stop. But a solicitude for your 
welfare, which cannot end but with my life, and the apprehen- 
sion of danger, natural to that solicitude, urge me, on an occa- 
sion like the present, to offer to your solemn contemplation, 
and to recommend to your frequent review, some sentiments, 
which are the result of much reflection, of no inconsiderable 
observation, and which appear to me all-important to the per- 
manency of your felicity as a People. These will be offered 
to you with the more freedom, as you can only see in them 
the disinterested warnings of a parting friend, who can possibly 
have no personal motive to bias his council. Nor can I forget, 
as an encouragement to it, your indulgent reception of my 
sentiments on a former, and not dissimilar occasion. 

Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every ligament of 
your hearts, no recommendation of mine is necessary to fortify 
or confirm the attachment. 

The unity of Government which constitutes you one people, 
is also now dear to you. It is justly so ; for it is a main pillar 
in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your 
tranquillity at home, your peace abroad ; of your safety ; of 



28 APPENDIX. 

your prosperity; of that very liberty which you so highly 
prize. But as it is easy to foresee, that from different causes 
and from different quarters, much pains will be taken, many 
artifices employed, to weaken in your minds the conviction of 
this truth ; as this is the point in your political fortress against 
which the batteries of internal and external enemies will be 
most constantly and actively (though often covertly and insi- 
duously) directed, it is of infinite moment, that you should pro- 
perly estimate the immense value of your national Union, to 
your collective and individual happiness ; that you should 
cherish a cordial, habitual, and immovable attachment to it; 
accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as of the Palla- 
dium of your political safety and prosperity; watching for its 
preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever 
may suggest even a suspicion that it can in any event be aban- 
doned; and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of 
every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the 
rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the 
various parts. 

For this you have every inducement of sympathy and in- 
terest. Citizens, by birth or choice, of a common country, that 
country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name 
of American, which belongs to you in your national capacity, 
must always exalt the just pride of patriotism, more than any 
appellation derived from local discriminations. With slight 
shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits 
and political principles. You have, in a common cause, fought 
and triumphed together. The independence and liberty you 
possess are the work of joint councils, and joint efforts; of 
common dangers, sufferings, and successes. 

But these considerations, however powerfully they address 
themselves to your sensibility, are greatly outweighed by those 
which apply more immediately to your interest. Here every 
portion of our country rinds the most commanding motives for 
carefully guarding and preserving the union of the whole. 

The north, in an unrestrained intercourse with the south, 
protected by the equal laws of a common government, finds in 



TO THE PROBE. 29 

the productions of the latter, great additional resources of ma- 
ritime and commercial enterprise, and precious materials of 
manufacturing industry. The south, in the same intercourse 
benefiting by the agency of the north, sees its agriculture 
grow, and its commerce expand. Turning partly into its own 
channels the seamen of the north, it finds its particular naviga- 
tion invigorated ; and while it contributes, in different ways, to 
nourish and increase the general mass of the national naviga- 
tion, it looks forward to the protection of a maritime strength, 
to which itself is unequally adapted. The east, in a like in- 
tercourse with the west, already finds, and in the progressive 
improvement of interior communications, by land and water, 
will more and more find a valuable vent for the commodities 
which it brings from abroad, or manufactures at home. The 
west derives from the east supplies requisite to its growth 
and comfort ; and what is, perhaps, of still greater consequence, 
it must of necessity owe the secure enjoyment of indispensable 
outlets for its own production, to the weight, influence, and the 
future maritime strength of the Atlantic side of the union, di- 
rected by an indissoluble community of interest, as one nation. 
Any other tenure, by which the west can hold this essential 
advantage, whether derived from its own separate strength, or 
from an apostate or unnatural connexion with any foreign 
power, must be intrinsically precarious. 

While then every part of our country thus feels an immediate 
and particular interest in union, all the parties combined cannot 
fail to find, in the united mass of means and efforts, greater 
strength, greater resource, proportionably greater security from 
external danger, a less frequent interruption of their peace by 
foreign nations. And, what is of inestimable value, they must 
derive from union an exemption from those broils and wars be- 
tween themselves, which so frequently afflict neighbouring coun- 
tries, not tied together by the same government; which their 
own rivalships alone would be sufficient to produce, but which 
opposite foreign alliances, attachments, and intrigues, would 
stimulate and embitter. Hence, likewise, they will avoid the 
necessity of those overgrown military establishments, which 

c2 



30 APPENDIX. 

under any form of government are inauspicious to liberty; and 
which are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican 
liberty. In this sense it is, that your union ought to be consi- 
dered as a main prop of your liberty, and that love of the one 
ought to endear to you the preservation of the other. 

These considerations speak a persuasive language to every 
reflecting and virtuous mind, and exhibit the continuance of the 
union as a primary object of patriotic desire. Is there a doubt, 
whether a common government can embrace so large a sphere ? 
Let experience solve it. To listen to mere speculation, in such 
a case, were criminal. We are authorized to hope that a proper 
organization of the whole, with the auxiliary agency of govern- 
ments for the respective subdivisions, will afford a happy issue 
to the experiment. It is well worth a fair and full experiment. 
With such powerful and obvious motives to union, affecting all 
parts of our country, while experience shall not have demon- 
strated its impracticability, there will always be reason to dis- 
trust the patriotism of those, who, in any quarter may endeavour 
to weaken its bands. 

Jn contemplating the causes which may disturb our union, it 
occurs, as a matter of serious concern, that any ground should 
have been furnished for characterizing parties by geographical 
discriminations; northern and southern; Atlantic and 
western ; whence designing men may endeavour to excite a 
belief that there is a real difference of local interests and views. 
One of the expedients of party to acquire influence within par- 
ticular districts, is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of 
other districts. You cannot shield yourselves too much against 
the jealousies and heart burnings which spring from these mis- 
representations ; they tend to render alien to each other those 
who ought to be bound together by fraternal affection. The 
inhabitants of our western country have lately had a useful les- 
son on this head ; they have seen, in the negotiation by the 
Executive, and in the unanimous ratification by the Senate of 
the treaty with Spain, and in the universal satisfaction at that 
event throughout the United States, a decisive proof how un- 
founded were the suspicions propagated among them, of a policy 



TO THE PROBE. 33 

in the general government, and in the Atlantic states, unfriendly 
to their interest in regard to the Mississippi. They have been 
witnesses to the formation of two treaties ; that with Great 
Britain, .and that with Spain ; which secure to them every thing 
they could desire, in respect to our foreign relations, towards 
confirming their prosperity. Will it not be their wisdom to rely 
for the preservation of these advantages on the union by which 
they were procured ? Will they not henceforth be deaf to those 
advisers, if such there are, who would sever them from their 
brethren, and connect them with aliens ? 

To the efficacy and permanency of your Union, a Govern- 
ment for the whole is indispensable. No alliances, however 
strict, between the parts, can be an adequate substitute ; they 
must inevitably experience the infractions and interruptions 
which all alliances in all times have experienced. Sensible of 
this momentous truth, you have improved upon your first essay, 
by the adoption of a Constitution of Government better calculated 
than your former for an intimate union, and for the efficacious 
management of your common concerns. This government, the 
ofFspring of our own choice, uninfluenced and unawed, adopted 
upon full investigation and mature deliberation, completely free 
in its principles, in the distribution of its powers, uniting secu- 
rity with energy, and containing within itself a provision for its 
own amendment, has a just claim to your confidence and your 
support. Respect for its authority, compliance with its laws, 
acquiescence in its measures, are duties enjoined by the funda- 
mental maxims of true liberty. The basis of our political 
systems, is the right of the people to make and alter their con- 
stitutions of government. But, the constitution which at any 
time exists, till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the 
whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all. The very idea 
of the power and the right of the people to establish govern- 
ment, presupposes the duty of every individual to obey tk°. es- 
tablished government. 

All obstructions to the execution of the laws, all combinations 
and associations, under whatever plausible character, with a real 
design to direct, control, counteract, or awe the regular delibe- 



32 APPENDIX. 

ration and action of the constituted authorities, arc destructive 
of this fundamental principle, and of fatal tendency. They 
serve to organize faction ; to give it an artificial and extraordi- 
nary force ; to put in the place of the delegated will of the na- 
tion, the will of a party, often a small, but artful and enterprising 
minority of the community; and, according to the alternate 
triumphs of different parties, to make the public administration 
the mirror of the ill-concerted and incongruous projects of fac- 
tion, rather than the organ of consistent and wholesome plans, 
digested by common counsels, and modified by mutual interests. 

However combinations or associations of the above descrip- 
tion may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely, 
in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by 
which cunning, ambitious and unprincipled men, will be enabled 
to subvert the power of the people, and to usurp for themselves 
the reins of government; destroying afterwards the very engines 
which have lifted them to unjust dominion. 

Towards the preservation of your government, and the per- 
manency of your present happy state, it is requisite, not only 
that you steadily discountenance irregular oppositions to its 
acknowledged authority, but also that you resist with care the 
spirit of innovation upon its principles however specious the 
pretexts. One method of assault may be to effect in the forms 
of the constitution, alterations which will impair the energy of 
the system, and thus to undermine what cannot be directly 
overthrown. In all the changes to which you may be invited, 
remember that time and hahit are at least as necessary to fix the 
true character of governments, as of other human institutions, 
that experience is the surest standard by which to test the real 
tendency of the existing constitution of a country ; that facility 
in change upon the credit of mere hypothesis and opinion, ex- 
poses to perpetual change from the endless variety of hypothesis 
and opinion; and remember, especially that for the efficient 
management of your common interests, in a country so exten- 
sive as ours, a government of as much vigour as is consistent 
with the perfect security of liberty, is indispensable. Liberty 
itself will find in such a government, with powers properly dis- 



TO THE PROBE. 33 

tributed and adjusted, its surest guardian. It is, indeed, little 
else than a name, where the government is too feeble to with- 
stand the enterprises of faction, to confine each member of the 
society within the limits prescribed by the laws, and to main- 
tain all in the secure and tranquil enjoyment of the rights of 
person and property. 

I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the 
state, with particular reference to the founding of them on geo- 
graphical discriminations. Let me now take a more compre- 
hensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against 
the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally. 

This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, 
having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. 
It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or 
less stifled, controlled, or repressed. But in those of the popu- 
lar form, it is seen in its greatest rankness ; and is truly their 
worst enemy. 

The alternate dominion of one faction over another, shar- 
pened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissension, which, 
in different ages and countries, has perpetrated the most horrid 
enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at 
length to a formal and permanent despotism. The disorders 
and miseries which result, gradually incline the minds of men 
to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an indi- 
vidual : and, sooner or later, the chief of some prevailing faction, 
more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this 
disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins 
of public liberty. 

Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind, (which, 
nevertheless, ought not to be entirely out of sight,) the common 
and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to 
make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage 
and restrain it. 

It serves always to distract the public councils, and enfeeble 
the public administration. It agitates the community with ill- 
founded jealousies and false alarms ; kindles the animosity of 
one part against another ; foments occasionally riot and insur- 
5 



34 APPENDIX. 

rection ; and opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, 
which find a facilitated access to the government itself through 
the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and will of 
one country are subjected to the policy and will of another. 

There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful 
checks upon the administration of the government, and serve 
to keep alive the spirit of liberty. This, within certain limits, 
is probably true : and in governments of a monarchial cast, 
patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favour, upon 
the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in 
governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. 
From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be 
enough of this spirit for every salutary purpose. And there 
being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be, by force 
of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be 
quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting 
into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume. 

It is importaut, likewise, that the habits of thinking, in a free 
country, should inspire caution in those intrusted with its ad- 
ministration, to confine themselves within their respective con- 
stitutional spheres, avoiding in the exercise of the powers of 
one department to encroach upon another. The spirit of en- 
croachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the depart- 
ments in one, and thus to create, whatever the form of govern- 
ment, a real despotism. A just estimate of that love of power, 
and proneness to abuse it, which predominates in the human 
heart, is sufficient to satisfy us of the truth of this position. 
The necessity of reciprocal checks, in the exercise of political 
power, by dividing and distributing it into different depositories, 
and constituting each the guardian of public weal against inva- 
sions by the others, has been evinced by experiments ancient 
and modern; some of them in our country and under our own 
eyes. To preserve them must be as necessary as to institute 
them. If, in the opinion of the people, the distribution or modi- 
fication of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, 
let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the con- 
stitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation: 



TO THE PROBE. 35 

for though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, 
it is the customary weapon by which free governments are de- 
stroyed. The precedent must always greatly overbalance, in 
permanent evil, any partial or transient benefit which the use 
can at any time yield. 

Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political 
prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In 
vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should 
labour to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these 
firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere 
politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to 
cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connexions 
with private and public felicity. Let it be simply asked, where 
is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense 
of religious obligations desert the oaths, which are the instru- 
ments of investigation in courts of justice? And let us with 
caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained 
without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence 
of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and 
experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can 
prevail in exclusion of religious principle. It is substantially 
true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular 
government. The rule indeed extends with more or less force 
to every species of free government. Who that is a sincere 
friend to it can look with indifference upon attempts to shake 
the foundation of the fabric ? 

Promote, then, as an object of primary importance, institu- 
tions for the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion as 
the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it 
is essential that public opinion should be enlightened. 

As a very important source of strength and security, cherish 
public credit. One method of preserving it, is to use it as 
sparingly as possible ; avoiding occasions of expense by culti- 
vating peace ; but remembering also that timely disbursements 
to prepare for danger frequently prevent much greater disburse- 
ments to repel it ; avoiding likewise the accumulation of debt, 
not- only by shunning occasions of expense, but bv vigorous 



36 APPENDIX. 

exertions, in time of peace, to discharge the debts which un- 
avoidable wars may have occasioned ; not ungenerously throw- 
ing upon posterity the burden which we ourselves ought to 
bear. The execution of these maxims belongs to your repre- 
sentatives ; but it is necessary that public opinion should co- 
operate. To facilitate to them the performance of their duty, 
it is essential that you should practically bear in mind, that 
towards the payment of debts there must be revenue ; that to 
have revenue there must be taxes ; that no taxes can be devised 
which are not more or less inconvenient and unpleasant, that 
the intrinsic embarrassment inseparable from the selection of 
the proper object (which is always a choice of difficulties) 
ought to be a decisive motive for a candid construction of the 
conduct of the government in making it, and for a spirit of ac- 
quiescence in the measures for obtaining revenue, which the 
public exigencies may at any time dictate. 

Observe good faith and justice towards all nations; cultivate 
peace and harmony with all. Religion and morality enjoin this 
conduct : and can it be that good policy does not equally enjoin 
it? It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and at no distant 
period, a great nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and 
too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted 
justice and benevolence. Who can doubt that in the course 
of time and things, the fruits of such a plan would richly repay 
any temporary advantages which might be lost by a steady ad- 
herence to it ? Can it be that Providence has not connected 
the permanent felicity of a nation with its virtue ? The ex- 
periment at least, is recommended by every sentiment which 
ennobles human nature. Alas ! is it rendered impossible by 
its vices ! 

In the execution of such a plan, nothing is more essential 
than that permanent inveterate antipathies against particular na- 
tions, and passionate attachment for others, should be excluded ; 
and that in place of them, just and amicable feelings towards 
all should be cultivated. The nation, which indulges towards 
another an habitual hatred, or an habitual fondness, is in some 
degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affections, 



TO THE PROBE. 37 

either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and 
its interest. Antipathy in one nation against another, disposes 
each more readily to offer insult and injury, to lay hold of 
slight causes of umbrage, and to be haughty and intractable, 
when accidental or trifling occasions of dispute occur. Hence 
frequent collisions, obstinate, envenomed and bloody contests. 
The nation, prompted by ill-will and resentment, sometimes 
impels to war the government, contrary to the best calculations 
of policy. The government sometimes participates in the na- 
tional propensity, and adopts through passion, what reason 
would reject; at other times, it makes the animosity of the 
nation subservient to projects of hostility instigated by pride, 
ambition, and other sinister and pernicious motives. The peace, 
often, sometimes perhaps the liberty, of nations has been the 
victim. So likewise, a passionate attachment of one nation for 
another, produces a variety of evils. Sympathy for the favourite 
nation, facilitating the illusion of an imaginary common interest, 
in cases where no real common interest exist, and infusing into 
one the enmities of the other, betrays the former into a partici- 
pation in the quarrels and wars of the latter, without adequate 
inducement or justification. It leads also to concessions to the 
favourite nation, of privileges denied to others, which is apt 
doubly to injure the nation making the concessions, by unne- 
cessarily parting with what ought to have been retained ; and 
by exciting jealousy, ill-will, and a disposition to retaliate, in 
the parties from whom equal privileges are withheld : and it 
gives to ambitious, corrupted, or deluded citizens (who devote 
themselves to the favourite nation) facility to betray or sacrifice 
the interests of their own country, without odium, sometimes 
even with popularity ; gilding with the appearances of a vir- 
tuous sense of obligations, commendable deference for public 
opinion, or a laudable zeal for public good, the base or foolish 
compliances of ambition, corruption or infatuation. 

As avenues to foreign influence in innumerable ways, such 
attachments are particularly alarming to the truly enlightened 
and independent patriot. How many opportunities do they 
afford to tamper with domestic factions, to practise the arts of 

D 



38 APPENDIX. 

seduction, to mislead public opinion, to influence or awe the 
public councils ! Such an attachment of a small or weak, to- 
wards a great and powerful nation, dooms the former to be the 
satellite of the latter. 

Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I conjure 
you to believe me, fellow citizens) the jealousy of a free peo- 
ple ought to be constantly awake ; since history and expe- 
rience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful 
foes of republican government. But that jealousy, to be useful, 
must be impartial; else it becomes the instrument of the very 
influence to be avoided, instead of a defence against it. Ex- 
cessive partiality for one foreign nation, and excessive dislike 
of another, cause those whom they actuate to see danger only 
on one side, and serve to veil and even second the arts of influ- 
ence on the other. Real patriots, who may resist the intrigues 
of the favourite, are liable to become suspected and odious; 
while its tools and dupes usurp the applause and confidence of 
the people, to surrender their interests. 

The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, 
is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as 
little political connexion as possible. So far as we have already 
formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good 
faith. Here let us stop. 

Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us have none, 
or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in fre- 
quent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign 
to our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to 
implicate ourselves, by artificial ties, in the ordinary vicissitudes 
of her politics, or the ordinary combinations and collisions of 
her friendships or enmities. Our detached and distant situation 
invites and enables us to pursue a different course. If we re- 
main one people, under an efficient government, the period is 
not far off, when we may defy material injury from external 
annoyance; when we may take such an attitude as will cause 
the neutrality we may at any time resolve upon, to be scrupu- 
lously respected ; when belligerent nations, under the impossi- 
bility of making acquisitions upon us, will not lightly hazard 



TO THE PROBE. 39 

the giving us provocation ; when we may choose peace or war, 
as our interest, guided by justice, shall counsel. 

Why forego the advantages of so peculiar a situation ? Why 
quit our own to stand upon foreign ground ? Why, by inter- 
weaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle 
our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, 
rivalship, interest, humour, or caprice. 

It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances, 
with any portion of the foreign world ; so 1 xr, I mean, as we 
are now at liberty to do it; for let me not be understood as 
capable of patronizing infidelity to existing engagements. 1 
hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private 
affairs, that honesty is always the best policy. I repeat it, there- 
fore, let those engagements be observed in their genuine sense. 
But in my opinion it is unnecessary, and would be unwise to 
extend them. 

Taking care always to keep ourselves, by suitable establish- 
ments, in a respectable defensive posture, we may safely trust 
to temporary alliances for extraordinary emergencies. 

Harmony and a liberal intercourse with all nations, are recom- 
mended by policy, humanity, and interest. But even our com- 
mercial policy should hold an equal and impartial hand ; neither 
seeking nor granting exclusive favours or preferences ; consult- 
ing the natural course of things ; diffusing and diversifying by 
gentle means the streams of commerce, but forcing nothing : 
establishing, with powers so disposed, in order to give trade a 
stable course, to define the rights of our merchants, and to en- 
able the government to support them, conventional r jles of in- 
tercourse, the best that present circumstances and mutual opinion 
will permit, but temporary, and liable to be from time to time 
abandoned or varied, as experience and circumstances shall dic- 
tate ; constantly keeping in view, that it is folly in one nation 
to look for disinterested favours from another ; that it must pay 
with a portion of its independence for whatever it may accept 
under that character; that by such acceptance, it may place 
itself in the condition of having given equivalents for nominal 
favours, and yet of being reproached with ingratitude for not 



40 APPENDIX. 

giving more. There can be no greater error than to expect, or 
calculate upon real favours from nation to nation. It is an il- 
lusion which experience must cure — which a just pride ought 
to discard. 

In offering to you, my countrymen, these counsels of an old 
and affectionate friend, I dare not hope they will make the 
strong and lasting impression I could wish ; that they will con- 
trol the usual current of the passions, or prevent our nation 
from running the course which has hitherto marked the destiny 
of nations ! but, if I may even flatter myself, that they* may be 
productive of some partial benefit, some occasional good ; that 
they may now and then recur to moderate the fury of party 
spirit ; to warn against the mischiefs of foreign intrigue ; to 
guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism; this hope 
will be a full recompense for the solicitude for your welfare, by 
which they have been dictated. 

How far, in the discharge of my official duties, I have been 
guided by the principles which have been delineated, the public 
records and other evidences of my conduct must witness to you 
and to the world. To myself, the assurance of my own con- 
science is, that I have at least believed myself to be guided by 
them. 

In relation to the still subsisting war in Europe, my procla- 
mation of the 22d of April, 1793, is the index to my plan. 
Sanctioned by your approving voice, and by that of your repre- 
sentatives in both houses of Congress, the spirit of that measure 
has continually governed me, uninfluenced by any attempts to 
deter, or divert me from it. 

After a deliberate examination, with the aid of the best lights 
I could obtain, I was well satisfied that our country, under all 
the circumstances of the case, had a right to take, and was 
bound in duty and interest, to take a neutral position. Having 
taken it, I determined, as far as should depend upon me, to 
maintain it with moderation, perseverance and firmness. The 
considerations which respect the right to hold this conduct, it 
is not necessary on this occasion to detail. I will only observe, 
that according to my understanding of the matter, that right, so 



TO THE PROBE. 41 

far from being denied by any of the belligerent powers, has 
been virtually admitted by all. 

The duty of holding a neutral conduct may be inferred with- 
out any thing more, from the obligation which justice and hu- 
manity impose on every nation, in cases in which it is free to 
act, to maintain inviolate the relations of peace and amity towards 
other nations. 

The inducements of interest for observing that conduct will 
be best referred to your own reflections and experience. With 
me, a predominant motive has been, to endeavour to gain time 
to our country to settle and mature its yet recent institutions, 
and to progress, without interruption, to that degree of strength 
and consistency, which is necessary to give it, humanly speak- 
ing, the command of its own fortunes. 

Though, in reviewing the incidents of my administration, 1 
am unconscious of intentional error, I am nevertheless too sen- 
sible of my defects, not to think it probable that I may have 
committed many errors. Whatever they may be, 1 fervently 
beseech the Almighty to avert or mitigate the evils to which 
they may tend. I shall also carry with me the hope that my 
country will never cease to view them with indulgence ; and 
that, after forty-five years of my life dedicated to its service, 
with an upright zeal, the faults of incompetent abilities will be 
consigned to oblivion, as myself must soon be to the mansions 
of rest. 

Relying on its kindness in this as in other things, and actu 
ated by that fervent love towards it which is so natural to a 
man who views in it the native soil of himself and his progeni- 
tors for several generations, I anticipate with pleasing expecta- 
tion that retreat, in which J promise myself to realize, without 
alloy, the sweet enjoyment of partaking, in the midst of my 
fellow-citizens, the benign influence of good laws under a free 
government ; the ever favourite object of my heart, and the happy 
reward, as I trust, of our mutual cares, labours, and dangers. 

G. WASHINGTON. 
United States, 17/ h September, 1796. 
6 d2 



42 APPENDIX. 



MINIATURE BIOGRAPHY 



WASHINGTON, THE SIGNERS, AND PATRICK HENRY. 

George Washington — born in the county of Westmoreland, 
Virginia, on the 22 J day of February, A. D. 1732. He lost his 
father at an early age, and was indebted to the wisdom of his 
mother for the foundation of his subsequent greatness and an 
paralled usefulness — died on the 14th of December, A. D. 1799, 
at Mount Vernon, situated on the west bank of the Potomac, 
sixteen miles below the City of Washington. October 7, 1837, 
his remains were removed to a new vault, near the old one, and 
placed in a highly finished marble sarcophagus, constructed and 
presented by Mr. Struthers of this city. They were in a state 
of preservation, unprecedented in this climate. 

In life, taken as a grand whole, he has had no equal. He 
was like the blazing luminary in the firmament, eclipsing the 
lights of other days and of his own time, with the more bril- 
liant refulgence and greater volume of his own. His triumph- 
ant career crowned him with fresher and greener laurels, with 
a richer and nobler greatness, than can be justly claimed for 
any other man of ancient or modern history. A sacred halo 
surrounds his name, his fame is imperishable, his god-like 
actions will be rehearsed by millions yet unborn, his memory 
will be cherished and revered through all future time. 

Adams, Samuel — born at Boston, Mass., Sept. 22, 1722. 
He was educated at Harvard # college, for the gospel ministry, 
but was diverted from this profession by the event of the 
American Revolution — died, October 3, 1803. 

Adams, John — born atQuincy, Mass., Oct. 19,0. S., 30, N. S., 
1735. He graduated at Harvard college, at the age of twenty — 
died, July 4, 1826, about four o'clock in the afternoon, a few 
hours subsequent to the demise of Thomas Jefferson. 



TO THE PROBE. 43 

Bartlett, Josiah — born at Amesbury, Mass., in Nov. 1729. 
He received an academical education, studied medicine under 
Dr. Ordway, became a successful practitioner — died, May 19, 
1795. 

Braxton, Carter — born at Newington, Va., September 10, 
1736, was educated at the college of William and Mary— died, 
of paralysis, October 10, 1797. 

Carroll, Charles, of Carrollton — born at Annapolis, Md., 
September 20, 1737— was a man of liberal views, pure patriot- 
ism, and universal charity. He died, November 14, 1832. 

Clark, Abraham — born at Elizabeth town, N. J., February 15, 
1726. He was a self-taught man, with a clear head and good 
heart — died suddenly, from a stroke of the sun, in June, 1794. 

Clymer, George — born in Philadelphia, in 1739. He lost 
his father at the age of seven, and was brought up by his uncle, 
William Coleman. He was a man of great originality, a virtuoso, 
an amateur, a logician, a mathematician, and a philosopher — 
died, January 24, 1813. 

Chase, Samuel — born in Somerset county, Md., April 17, 
1741. He was a lawyer by profession, a man of warm tem- 
perament, bold, open, independent, honest, patriotic, and pure 
in motive. He headed the party that commenced the burning 
of stamped paper— died, June 19, 1811. 

Ellery, William — born at Newport, R. I., Dec. 22, 1727. 
He was educated at Cambridge college, and graduated at the 
age of twenty. He was a successful practitioner at the bar, a 
man of energy and magnanimity of soul — died, Feb. 15, 1820. 

Floyd, William — born at Suffolk county, N. Y., Dec. 17, 
1734. He was liberally educated, enjoyed an ample fortune, 
was a man of great urbanity and of an amiable disposition- 
died, after four days' illness, August 1, 1821. 

Franklin, Benjamin — born, Jan. 17, 1706 — was a self-made 
man, a sage, patriot, and philosopher. He was the first man 
who made a plaything of lightning, and invented the conductor 
of that powerful element — died at Philadelphia, April 17, 1790, 

Gerry, Elbridge — born at Marblehead, Mass., July 17, 1744 
He was a graduate of Harvard college, was in the front rank of 



44 APPENDIX. 

patriots, and was elected Vice President of the U. S., in 1812 — 
died at Washington city, November 23, 1814, highly esteemed 
and deeply mourned. 

Gwinnett, Button — born in England, in 1732, and settled 
in Georgia, where he rose, politically, with the rapidity of a kite 
in a gale of wind. He fell as suddenly, a victim to the unhallowed 
practice of duelling, and died from his wounds, May 27, 1777. 

Hall, Lyman — born in Connecticut in 1721. He graduated 
at Yale College, studied medicine, and settled at St. John's, Ga., 
where he became a successful practitioner, and the advocate of 
Freedom — died, in 1790, deeply lamented by his numerous 
friends and acquaintances. 

Hancock, John — born in Quincy, Mass., in 1737. He gra- 
duated at Cambridge college at the early age of seventeen, and 
was among the first who raised the standard of liberty in our 
beloved country. He was a man of elegant person and man- 
ners, and worthy of the great esteem he enjoyed — died of the 
gout, October 8, 1793. 

Harrison, Benjamin — born in Berkeley, Va. Of the time, 
no record can be found. He was a graduate of William and 
Mary college, and at an early age became a stern opposer of 
British oppression — died of the gout in April, 1791. 

Hart, John — was born at Hopewell, Hunterdon county, N. 
J., in 1715. His father fought along with Wolfe on the heights 
of Abraham, and raised a volunteer company called the " Jersey 
Blues," a name still cherished and retained in that state. John 
Hart was a good farmer, a firm patriot, and an honest man — 
died in 1780, from exposure caused by the enemy. 

Hewes, Joseph — born at Kingston, N. J., in 1730. He was 
educated at Princeton college, and after graduating, became a 
successful merchant in Wilmington, N. C. He was a zealous 
whig, and made great personal sacrifices for his country — died 
in October, 1790. 

IIeyward, Thomas — born in the parish of St. Luke, S. C, 
in 1740. He had a liberal education, was a good lawyer, and 
a sterling patriot — died in March, 1809. 

Hooper, William — born at Boston, Mass., June 17, 1743, 



TO THE PROBE. 45 

and located at Wilmington, N. C. He was a good scholar, an 
eloquent preacher, and a discreet legislator — died in Oct., 1790, 

Hopkins, Stephen — born in Scituate, R. I., March 7, 1707. 
He was the oldest of the signers, except Messrs. Livingston 
and Franklin, but not the less patriotic. He was pacific^ cool, 
deliberate, but noble in resolve, firm in purpose, and prompt in 
action — died, July 19, 1785. 

Hopkinson, Francis — born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1737. 
He lost his father at an early age, and received the first rudi- 
ments of his education from his mother, who was a woman of 
superior talents. He graduated at the Pennsylvania University, 
studied law under Benjamin Chew, and took a high stand among 
the patriots of the revolution — died, May 9, 1791, of apoplexy. 

Huntington, Samuel — born in Windham, Conn., July 2, 
1732. With a common school education he commenced the 
study of law, and became one of the brightest ornaments of 
the bar — died, January 5, 1796. 

Jefferson, Thomas — born at Shad well, county of Albemarle, 
Va., April 13, O. S., 24, N. S., 1732. His name is immortalized 
by his being the author of the Declaration of Independence-— 
died, July 4, 1826, a few. hours previous to John Adams. 

Lee, Francis Lightfoot — born in Westmoreland county, 
Va., Oct. 14, 1734. He was educated under the instruction of 
Rev. Dr. Craig, and became a good scholar, an ardent patriot, 
and an able statesman — died of pluerisy in April, 1797. 

Lee, Richard Henry — a native of Westmoreland county, 
Va., and was sent to Wakefield, Yorkshire, Eng., to be educated, 
and became a finished scholar. His oratory was emphatically 
Ciceronean — died, January 19, 1794. 

Lewis, Francis — born in LlandafF, South Wales, in March, 
1713. He became an orphan at the age of five years, and was 
fostered by an aunt named Llawelling. He was instructed in 
the Cymraeg, Celtic, and classic languages, and at his majority 
commenced the mercantile business, and settled in New York 
city — died, December 30, 1813, loved, esteemed, and regretted. 

Livingston, Philip— born at Albany, N. Y., January 15 t 
1706. He was a graduate of Yale College, a patriot dyed in 



46 APPENDIX. 

the wool, a consistent man, and an advocate of equal rights — 
died, June 12, 1778. 

Lynch, Thomas — born in the parish of Prince George, S. C, 
Aug. 5, 1749. He received a good common education at the 
Indigo Society school, at Georgetown, in his native state, and 
completed his classical studies at Cambridge University, Eng- 
land, and then entered the Law Temple, as a finishing touch to 
his studies. He acted a bold and dignified part in the revolution. 
It is supposed that himself and lady were lost at sea, in 1779. 

Middleton, Arthur — born at Middleton Place, S. C, in 
1743. He was highly educated in England, and was a promi- 
nent and efficient member of the Continental Congress — died, 
January 1, 1787. 

M'Kean, Thomas — born at New London, Chester county, 
Pa., March 19, 1734. He was educated by the Rev. Francis 
Allison. He became a good lawyer, an ardent patriot, and an 
able judge — died, June 24, 1817. 

Morris, Lewis — born in the vicinity of the city of New 
York, N. Y., in 1726. He was educated at Yale college, was 
early an active whig — died in January, 1798. 

Morris, Robert — born at Liverpool, England, January 20, 
1734. He was the great financier of the American Revolution 
—died, May 3, 1806. 

Morton, John — born in Ridley, Del. co., Pa., in 1724. His 
education was mostly self acquired, and of the most useful kind 
— died in April, 1777, deeply mourned. 

Nelson, Thomas — born at York, Va., Dec. 26, 1738. He 
was educated in England, and became a leading patriot — died, 
January 4, 1789. 

Paca, William— born in Hartford, Md., Oct. 31, 1740. He 
was educated at the University, Philadelphia, became an emi- 
nent lawyer, a good judge, and discreet governor — died in 
1799. 

Paine, Robert Treat — born at Boston, in 1731. He grad- 
uated at Harvard college, became an excellent lawyer, an able 
judge, and an advocate of Independence — died, May 11, 
1814. 



TO THE PROBE. 47 

Penn, John — born in the county of Caroline, Va., May 17, 
1741. He was a self-educated man, became a strong lawyer, 
settled in North Carolina, and took an active part against op- 
pression — died in September, 1788. 

Read, George — born in Cecil county, Md., in 1734. He 
was educated under Rev. Dr. Allison, became a distinguished 
member of the Philadelphia bar, and a warm patriot — died sud- 
denly in the autumn of 1798. 

Rodney, Cesar — born at Dover, Del., in 1730. He was a 
man of versatile talent, and acted well his part — died of a cancer 
in 1783. 

Ross, George — born at Newcastle, Del., in 1730. He was 
educated under his father, was a man of great strength of cha- 
racter, an eloquent lawyer, and a friend of Freedom — died, 
July 19, 1779. 

Rush, Benjamin — born near Philadelphia, Dec. 24, 1743. 
He became an eminent physician, and was a whig to the core 
—died, April 19, 1813. 

Rutledge, Edward — born in Charleston, S. C, in 1749. 
He became a discreet lawyer, and entered his name on the Chart 
of Liberty.— He died, June 23, 1800. 

Sherman, Roger — born at Newton, Mass., April 19, 1721. 
He was self taught, became a lawyer, judge, and sage — died, 
July 23, 1793. 

Smith, James — a native of Ireland, born in 1713. He was 
a good man, a sound lawyer, and zealous patriot, but very ec- 
centric — full of fun — died, July 11, 1806. 

Stockton, Richard — born near Princeton, N. J., Oct. 1, 1730. 
He was a graduate of Princeton college, became an eminent jurist, 
a bold advocate for Liberty, and died, October 5, 1787. 

Stone, Thomas — born at Pointon Manor, Charles co., Md., 
1743. He was well educated, an able lawyer, a fervent whig, 
and modest man — died, October 5, 1787. 

Taylor, George — born in Ireland in 1716. He absconded 
to America when a boy, bound himself out to pay his passage, 
educated himself, hated England, lived respected, and died re- 
gretted, July 23, 1784. 



48 



APPENDIX TO THE PROBE. 



Thornton, Matthew — born in Ireland, in 1714. He was a 
good physician, a naming whig, and an honest man — died, 
June 24, 1803. 

Walton, George — born in Frederick county, Va., in 1740. 
He was a self-educated man, with a clear head and a good 
heart — died, February 2, 1803. 

Whipple, William — born at Kittery, in Md., in 1703. He 
was a self-taught man, and became a general, a statesman, and 
a judge, with a heart of oak, and nerves of steel — died, Novem- 
ber, 28, 1785. 

Williams, William — born in Lebanon, Windham co., Ct., 
April 8, 1731. He was a graduate at Harvard college, took 
part in the French war, became a merchant, and in all things 
fulfilled the design of his creation — died, August 2, 1811. 

Wilson, James — born near St. Andrews, Scotland, in 1742 
He had a liberal education, became a strong lawyer, profound 
judge, and able statesman — died, August 28, 1796. 

Witherspoon, John — born at Yester, Scotland, Feb. 5, 1722. 
He was highly educated, an eminent divine, president of Prince- 
ton college, and a devoted patriot — died, Nov. 15, 1794. 

Wolcott, Oliver — born at Windsor, Ct., Nov. 26, 1726. 
He graduated at Yale college, took part in the French war, was 
an active whig, a general, and a judge — died, Dec. 1, 1797. 

Wythe, George — born at Elizabeth city, Va., in 1728. 
He was educated by his mother, from whom he acquired Latin, 
Greek, &c. He was amongst the boldest champions of Liberty, 
and the preceptor of Thomas Jefferson — died suddenly from 
the effects of poison, June 8, 1806. 



PATRICK HENRY. 49 



PATRICK HENRY. 

This distinguished name stands conspicuous upon the 
pages of the history of our country, and shines, with 
peculiar brilliancy, amidst the constellations of the re- 
volution. Time and the critic's pen have not detract- 
ed from the lustre of its fame — the patriot delights 
to dwell upon the bright and bold career of Patrick 
Henry. 

He was a native of Studly, Hanover county, Vir- 
ginia, born on the 29th of May, 1736. His father was 
a highly respected man, of Scotch descent ; his mother 
was the sister of Judge Winston, who was justly cele- 
brated as an eloquent and forcible orator. 

During his childhood and youth, Patrick Henry was 
remarkable for indolence and a love of recreation — 
consequently, he arrived at manhood with a limited ed- 
ucation and unaccustomed to industry. His native 
talents were not developed, his mind was not cultiva- 
ted, nor his genius expanded, until after he was a hus- 
band and a father. His friends endeavoured to direct 
his course to a close application to business, by setting 
him up in the mercantile line ; but in vain. In this he 
soon failed, preferring his fishing-rod and gun to the 
business of his store. After finding himself a bank- 
rupt, he concluded that the toils of life and the troubles 
of his pilgrimage were too much to bear alone, and, 
therefore, married a wife, the daughter of a respectable 
planter, and became a tiller of the ground. Unac- 
quainted with this new vocation, he soon found himself 
in the quagmire of adversity, and again tacked about 
and entered into the mercantile business. Still he was 
unfortunate, and poverty claimed him as one of her fa- 



50 PATRICK HEXRY. 

vourite children. An increasing family needed increased 
means of support, creditors became clamorous, duns 
showered in upon him, and, in a short time, Patrick 
Henry was reduced to misery and want. At last he 
was driven to his books, and resolved on the study of 
law. He now felt, most keenly, the lost time of his 
childhood and youth, and saw many of his age who 
had already ascended high on the ladder of fame, whose 
native powers of mind he knew to be inferior to his. 
He accordingly commenced the study he had chosen, 
and in six weeks after, at the age of twenty-four, he 
was admitted to the bar, more as a compliment to his 
respectable connexions and his destitute situation, than 
from the knowledge he had obtained of the intricate 
science of law, during the brief period he had been 
engaged in its investigation. The ensuing three years, 
folded in the coil of extreme want, he made but slow 
advances in his profession, and obtained the necessa- 
ries of life by assisting his father-in-law at a tavern 
bar, instead of shining at the bar of the court. He 
was still ardently attached to his gun, and often carried 
his knapsack of provisions and remained several days 
and nights in the woods. On his return, he would en- 
ter the court in his coarse and blood-stained hunting 
dress — take up his causes, carry them through with 
astonishing adroitness and skill, and finally succeeded 
in gaining a popular reputation as an advocate. 

In 1764, he was employed as counsel in a case of 
contested election to be tried at the seat of the gov- 
ernment of his native State, which introduced him 
among the fashionable and gay, whose exterior ap- 
pearance and manners formed a great contrast with 
his. He made no preparation for meeting his learned 
and polished adversaries, and, as he moved awkward- 



PATRICK HENRY. 51 

ly around among them, was looked upon by some who 
were gazing at his coarse habiliments and his eccen- 
tric actions, as non compos mentis. When the case came 
up for trial, the astonished audience and the court 
were completely electrified by his bursts of native elo- 
quence and the cogency of his logic. Judges Tyler 
and Winston, who tried the case, declared they had 
never before witnessed so happy and triumphant an 
effort, in point of sublime rhetoric and conclusive ar- 
gument, by any man. From that time forward, the 
fame of Patrick Henry spread its expansive wings, 
and he was enabled to banish want and misery from 
his door, by a lucrative and increasing practice. From 
his childhood he had been a close observer of human 
nature ; the only remarkable trait in favor of his ju- 
venile character. He had always cultivated and im- 
proved this advantageous propensity, which was of 
great use to him in after life. So well versed had he 
become with the nature, propensities, and operations 
of the human mind, that he seemed to comprehend and 
divine, at a single glance, all its intricacies, impulses 
and variations. This gave him a great advantage 
over many of his professional brethren, who had studied 
Latin and Greek more, but human nature less, than this 
self-made man. He took a deep and comprehensive 
view of the causes that impel men to action, and of 
the results produced by the multifarious influences that 
control and direct them. He investigated the designs 
of creation, the duty of man to his fellow and his God, 
the laws of nature, reason, and revelation, and became 
a bold advocate for liberty of conscience, equal rights, 
and universal freedom. Nor did he bury these prin- 
ciples of philanthropy in his own bosom. In the ex- 
pansive view he had taken of the rights of man, of the 



52 PATRICK IIEXRY. 

different modes of government, of the oppressiop A 
kings, of the policy pursued by the mother country to- 
wards the American colonies, he came to the conclu- 
sion that any nation, to be great and happy, must be 
free and independent. 

He had viewed, with a statesman's eye, the growing 
oppressions of the crown ; they had reached his very 
soul, and roused that soul to action. In Virginia, Pat- 
rick Henry first charged the revolutionary ball with 
patriotic fire, and gave it an impetus that increased 
and gathered new force as it rolled along. Had not 
the. mighty theme of freedom engaged the mind of this 
bold and elevated patriot, he might have closed his 
career with its gigantic powers half unspent, and left 
his noblest qualities of soul to expire in embryo. Na- 
ture had so moulded him, that the ordinary concerns of 
life never roused him to vigorous action. It required 
occasions of deep and thrilling interest to awaken and 
put in motion his stronger energies. The exciting 
cause of the revolution was exactly calculated to 
bring him out in all the majesty of his native great- 
ness. 

In 1765, he was chosen a member of the Virginia 
assembly, and at once took a bold and decisive stand 
against British oppression. He introduced resolutions 
against the stamp act, that were so bold and indepen- 
dent, as to alarm the older members, who, although 
they approved and applauded the principles and liber- 
al views of this young champion of liberty, wanted 
his moral courage to design and execute. To impart 
this to them, and stamp the impress of his own, upon 
their trembling hearts, was now the great business of 
Patrick Henry. In this he succeeded, and his resolu- 
tions were passed. Each resolution was drawn from 




PATRICK HENRY, 53 

the translucent fountain of eternal justice, and based 
upon the principles of Magna Charta, which had been 
the polar star of England for centuries. The follow- 
ing is a correct copy : — ■ 

" Resolved, That the first adventurers and settlers of 
this, His Majesty's colony and dominion, brought with 
them, and transmitted to their posterity, and all other 
His Majesty's subjects, since inhabiting in this, His 
Majesty's said colony, all the privileges, franchises and 
immunities, that have, at any time, been held, enjoyed 
and possessed by the people of Great Britain. 

" Resolved, That by two royal charters, granted by 
King James I., the colonists aforesaid are declared 
entitled to all the privileges, liberties and immunities 
of denizens and natural born subjects, to all intents 
and purposes, as if they had been abiding and born 
within the realm of England. 

" Resolved, That the taxation of the people by them- 
selves, or by persons chosen by themselves to repre- 
sent them, who can only know what taxes the people 
are able to bear, and the easiest mode of raising them, 
and are equally affected by such taxes themselves, is 
the distinguishing characteristic of British freedom, 
and without which the ancient constitution cannot 
subsist. 

" Resolved, That His Majesty's liege people of this 
most ancient colony, have uninterruptedly enjoyed the 
right of being thus governed by their own assembly, 
in the article of their taxes and internal police, and 
that the same hath never been forfeited, or in any 
other way given up, but hath been constantly recog- 
nised by the King and people of Great Britain. 

" Resolved, therefore, That the general assembly of 
this colony has the sole right and power to lay taxes 



54 PATRICK HENRY. 

and impositions upon the inhabitants of this colony, 
and that every attempt to vest such power in any per- 
son or persons whosoever, other than the general as- 
sembly aforesaid, has a manifest tendency to destroy 
British, as well as American freedom !" 

The justice of these resolutions, based as they were 
upon the well-known principles of the English consti- 
tution, confined within the limits of the ancient land- 
marks of that sacred instrument, could not be denied 
by the cringing sycophants of a corrupt and corrupting 
ministry, and were hailed by every patriot as the firm 
pillars of the temple of American liberty. They were 
enforced by the overwhelming eloquence and logic of 
the mover, and seconded by Mr. Johnston, who sus- 
tained them by arguments and conclusions that im- 
parted new strength and courage to many a bosom 
that was, a few moments before, poising on the ago- 
nizing pivot of hesitation. They were strongly op- 
posed by several members, who subsequently espoused 
the cause of equal rights, and affixed their names to 
the great charter of our independence. This opposi- 
tion brought forth, for the first time, the gigantic 
powers of Patrick Henry. In all the sublimity of his 
towering genius, he stood among the great, the ac- 
knowledged champion of that legislative hall which 
he had but recently entered. Astonishment and ad- 
miration held his electrified audience in deep suspense 
as he painted, in bold and glowing colours, the in- 
creasing infringements of the hirelings of the crown 
upon the chartered rights and privileges of the colo- 
nists, who had waded through torrents of blood and 
seas of trouble and toil, to plant themselves in the new 
world. He pointed to the chains forged by th"< hands 
of tyranny, already clanking, with terrific sound, upon 



PATRICK HENRY. 55 

every ear. To be free or slaves, was the great, the 
momentous question. He, for one, was prepared and 
determined to unfurl the banner of freedom, drive from 
his native soil the task-masters of oppression, or perish 
in the glorious attempt. His opponents were com- 
pletely astounded, and found it impossible to stem the 
strong current of popular feeling put in motion by the 
proceedings of that eventful crisis. Seconded and 
supported by the cool and deep calculating Johnston, 
the resolutions passed amidst the cry of " treason" from 
the tories, and " liberty or death" from the patriots. 

The seeds of freedom were deeply planted on that 
glorious day. and old Virginia proved a congenial soil 
for the promotion of their future growth. From that 
time forward, Patrick Henry was hailed as the great 
advocate of human rights and rational liberty. He 
stood on the loftiest pinnacle fame could rear, unmov- 
ed and unscathed by the fire of persecution, calmly 
surveying the raging elements of the revolutionary 
storm, already in commotion around him. 

In August, 1774, the Virginia convention met at 
Williamsburg, and passed a series of resolutions, 
pledging themselves to sustain their eastern brethren 
in the common cause of their common country. As 
delegates to the first colonial Congress, they appointed 
Peyton Randolph, Richard Henry Lee, George Wash- 
ington, Richard Bland, Patrick Henry, Benjamin Har- 
rison, and Edmund Pendleton. 

On the 4th of September following, this august as- 
sembly of patriotic sages and heroes met in Carpen- 
ter's Hall, at the city of Philadelphia. The object for 
which they had convened was one of imposing and 
thrilling interest, big with events, absorbing in char- 
acter, and full of importance. The eyes of gazing 



56 PATRICK HENRY. 

millions were turned upon them, the kindling wrath 
of the crown was flashing before them, the anathemas 
of tyranny were pronounced against them. But they 
still resolved to go on. Liberty or death had become 
the watchword — the hallowed fire of freedom had 
warmed their bosoms and impelled them to action. 
After an address to the throne of grace, they com- 
menced their proceedings by appointing Peyton Ran- 
dolph, of Virginia, president of their body. A deep 
and solemn silence ensued, each member appealing to 
heaven for aid and direction. At length Patrick 
Henry rose — echo lingered to catch a sound. With 
the eloquence of a Demosthenes, the philosophy of a 
Socrates, the justice of an Aristides, and the wisdom 
of a Solon, he took a broad, impartial, and expansive 
view of the past, the present, and the future ; exhibit- 
ed, in their true light, the relations between the mo- 
ther country and her distant colonies ; unveiled the 
designs of the base and unprincipled ministry that 
claimed the high and unwarranted prerogative of 
wielding an iron sceptre over America, and of reduc- 
ing her sons to unconditional submission, and painted 
in the most vivid and lively colours, a nation's rights 
and a nation's wrongs. The dignity and calmness of 
his manner, the clearness of his logic, the force of his 
eloquence, and the solemnity of his voice and counte- 
nance, combined to inspire an admiration and awe, 
until then unknown to the astonished audience. On 
that occasion, his powers of thought seemed supernat- 
ural. He seemed commissioned by Heaven to rouse 
his countrymen to a sense of approaching danger. He 
sat down amidst repeated bursts of applause, the ac- 
knowledged Demosthenes of the new world, the most 
powerful orator df his day and generation. 



v 



PATRICK flENRY. 57 

The succeeding year he was a member of the con- 
vention of Virginia that convened at Richmond, where 
he proposed immediate measures of defence, sufficient 
to repel any invasion from the mother country. In 
this he was strenuously opposed by several of the most 
influential members, who still felt a disposition to 
cringe to royal power. 

That power, based as it was upon wrongs and in- 
jury, Patrick Henry held in utter contempt. His 
dauntless soul soared above the trappings of a crown, 
backed by military pomp and show, and looked for 
rest only in the goal of liberty. 

The following extract from his speech in that con- 
vention, will best convey a correct idea of his feelings 
and emotions, deeply felt and strongly told : — 

" Mr. President, It is natural for man to indulge in 
the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes 
against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that 
syren, till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the 
part of wise men engaged in a great and arduous 
struggle for liberty ? Are we disposed to be of the 
number of those who, having eyes, see not, and having 
ears, hear not the things that so nearly concern their 
temporal salvation ? For rny part, whatever anguish 
of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole 
truth — to know the worst and provide for it. 

" I have but one lamp to guide my feet, and that is 
the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging 
the future but by the past. Judging from the past, I 
wish to know what there has been in the conduct of 
the British ministry for the last ten years to justify 
those hopes with which gentlemen are pleased to so- 
lace themselves and the house ? Is it that insidious 
smile with which our petition has lately been receiv- 



58 PATRICK HENRY. 

ed ? Trust it not, sir ; it will prove a snare to your 
feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed by a kiss. 
Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our pe- 
tition comports with those warlike preparations that 
cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and 
armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? 
Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be recon- 
ciled, that force must be called in to win back our 
love ? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are 
the implements of war and subjugation — the last ar- 
guments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, 
what means this martial array, if its purpose be not 
to force us to submission ? Can gentlemen assign any 
other possible motive for it ? Has Great Britain any 
enemy in this quarter of the world to call for all this 
accumulation of navies and armies ? No, sir, she has 
none. They are meant for us — they can be meant for 
no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon 
us those chains which the British ministry have been 
so long forging. And what have we to oppose to 
them ? Shall we try argument ? Sir, we have been 
trying that for the last ten years. Have we any thing 
new to offer upon the subject ? Nothing. We have 
held the subject up in every light of which it is capa- 
ble, but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to 
entreaty and humble supplication ? What terms shall 
we find which have not already been exhausted ? 
Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves longer. 
Sir, we have done every thing that could be done to 
avert the storm that is coming on. We have peti- 
tioned — we have remonstrated — we have supplicated 
— we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and 
have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical 
hands of the ministry and parliament. Our petitions 



PATRICK HENRY. 59 

have been slighted, our remonstrances have produced 
additional violence and insult, our supplications have 
been disregarded, and we have been spurned with 
contempt from the foot of the throne. 

" In vain, after these things, may we indulge the 
fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no 
longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free — if 
we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable priv- 
ileges for which we have been so long contending — if 
we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in 
which we have been so long engaged, and which we 
have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the 
glorious object of our contest shall be obtained, we 
must fight ! I repeat it, sir, we must fight ! An appeal 
to arms and the God of Hosts is all that is left us ! It 
is vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may 
cry peace, peace ; but there is no peace. The war is 
actually begun. The next gale that comes from the 
north, will bring to our ears the clash of resounding 
arms ! Our brethren are already in the field. Why 
stand we here idle ? What is it that gentlemen wish ? 
What would they have ? Is life so dear, or peace so 
sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and 
slavery ? Forbid it, Almighty God ! I know not what 
course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty 
or death /" 

The effect of this speech was electrical. The cry, 
" To arms" burst from every quarter ; " Liberty or death" 
resounded and rang through every ear, and was re- 
sponded by every patriot. The resolutions were se- 
conded and supported by Richard Henry Lee, and 
were adopted without further opposition. A commit- 
tee was immediately appointed to carry them into 
effect. From that time forward, the Old Dominion 



60 PATRICK HENRY. 

was renewed, regenerated, and free. Her richest 
blood was poured out freely in the cause of liberty 
and equal rights. 

Soon after this convention had adjourned, Lord 
Dunmore removed a part of the powder from the mag- 
azine at Williamsburg on board of one of His Majesty's 
ships. On being informed of this transaction, Patrick 
Henry collected a military force in Hanover and King 
William counties, and repaired to the seat of govern- 
ment, demanding the restoration of the powder, or its 
equivalent in cash. An order for the amount in money, 
was received, and no blood shed. A proclamation was 
issued against these daring rebels, which only seemed 
to unite the people more strongly in favour of their ora- 
tor and soldier, whose conduct they highly approved at 
several public meetings convened on the occasion. 

In August, 1775, Mr. Henry was again chosen a dele- 
gate to the Continental Congress, and in June of the 
following year, governor of his native state. He held 
this important office during that and the ensuing year, 
but declined serving the third year, although unani- 
mously re-elected. His zeal in the glorious cause he 
had espoused did not languish or grow cold. In 1780 
he took his seat in the assembly of his state, and ma- 
nifested all the activity and vigour that characterized 
the commencement of his bold and useful career. In 
1788 he was a member of the Virginia convention, 
convened for the consideration of the constitution of 
the United States, then submitted for approval or re- 
jection. To that instrument Mr. Henry was then 
strongly opposed, because, as he contended, it consoli- 
dated the states into one government, thereby destroy- 
ing the sovereignty of each. His eloquence on that 
occasion was raised to its highest pitch, but could not 



PATRICK HENRY. 61 

prevail. His closing speech on that now revered in- 
strument, was said to have surpassed either of his 
former efforts, and operated so powerfully, that but a 
small majority voted for the new constitution. During 
his remarks, an incident occurred which enabled him 
to almost paralyze his audience. After describing the 
magnitude of the question, on the determination of 
which hung the happiness or wo of the present gene- 
ration, and millions yet unborn, with a "voice and 
countenance solemn as eternity, and his eyes raised 
upwards, he appealed to the God of heaven, and to 
angels, then hovering over their heads, to witness the 
thrilling scene, and invoked their aid in the mighty 
work before him. At that moment, a sudden thunder- 
gust commenced its fury, and shook the very earth. 
Upon the wings of the tempest his stentorian voice 
continued to rise — he figuratively seized the artillery 
of the elements as by supernatural power, hurled the 
liquid lightning at the heads of his opponents, and 
seemed commissioned, by the great Jehovah, to execute 
a deed of vengeance. The scene was awfully sub- 
lime, the effect tremendous. The purple current 
rushed back upon the fountain of life, every counte- 
nance was pale, every eye was fixed, every muscle 
was electrified, every vein was contracted, every heart 
was agonized — the scene became insupportable — the 
members rushed from their seats in confusion, and left 
the house without the formality of an adjournment. 

He remained in the assembly of Virginia until 
1791, when he declined a re-election, and expressed 
a strong desire to retire from public life. He had 
toiled long, faithfully and successfully, and wished for 
that repose, found only in the bosom of our families. 

In 1795, President Washington, for whom he had an 



62 PATRICK HENRY. 

unbounded veneration, offered him the high station of 
secretary of state. With becoming gratitude to his 
friend and the father of his country, he declined the 
proffered honour, and chose to remain in retirement. 
The following year he was again elected governor of 
his native state, but declined serving. In 1799 he was 
appointed, by President Adams, an envoy to France, 
in conjunction with Messrs. Murray and Ellsworth. 
His declining health would not permit him to accept 
of this last appointment with which he was honoured. 
Disease was fast consummating the work of death, and 
rapidly destroying the hardy constitution and athletic 
frame, that had enabled him to perform his duty so 
nobly during the trying scenes of the revolution. He 
was aware that the work of dissolution was going on, 
and awaited his final exit with calm submission and 
Christian fortitude. On the 6th of June, 1799, he re- 
signed his spirit to Him who gave it, threw off the 
mortal coil, and was numbered with the dead, aged 
but 61 years. His loss was deeply mourned by the 
American nation, and most strongly felt by those who 
knew him best. The following affectionate tribute is 
from the pen of one who knew him well : — 

" Mourn, Virginia, mourn ! your Henry is gone. Ye 
friends of liberty in every clime, drop a tear. No 
more will his social feelings spread delight through his 
happy house. No more will his edifying example dic- 
tate to his numerous offspring the sweetness of virtue 
and the majesty of patriotism. No more will his sage 
advice, guided by zeal for the common happiness, im- 
part light and utility to his caressing neighbours. No 
more will he illuminate the public councils with sen- 
timents drawn from the cabinet of his own mind, ever 
directed to his country's good, and clothed in eloquence 



PATRICK HENRY. 63 

sublime, delightful and commanding. Farewell, first- 
rate patriot, farewell. As long as our rivers flow, or 
mountains stand, so long will your excellence and 
worth be the theme of our homage and endearment ; 
and Virginia, bearing in mind her loss, will say to rising 
generations — imitate my Henry." 

In reviewing the character of this truly great man 
from the commencement of his public career, his ex- 
amples in public and private life are worthy of vene- 
ration and the closest imitation. The rust of his youth 
was soon removed, and he became, in all respects, a 
brilliant and polished man. His habits were rigidly 
temperate — his conduct, as a gentleman, a public func- 
tionary, an amiable citizen, and a devoted Christian, 
was beyond reproach. Although, when he believed 
himself in the right, he maintained his position with 
great zeal and ardour, he was always open to convic- 
tion. He opposed the adoption of the federal constitu- 
tion when it was under consideration, but subsequently 
became convinced of its utility, and highly approved 
of its form and substance. 

As a husband, a father, a master, a neighbour and a 
friend, he had no superior. As an advocate, an orator, 
a statesman and a patriot, his fame stands, in all its 
glory, uneclipsed and unsurpassed. As Grattan said 
of Pitt, there was something in Patrick Henry that 
could create, subvert, or reform ; an understanding, a 
spirit, an eloquence, to summon mankind to society, or 
to break the bonds of slavery asunder, and to rule the 
wilderness of free minds with unbounded authority ; 
something that could establish or overwhelm empire, 
and strike a blow in the world, that should resound 
through the universe. 

He was twice married, and the father of fifteen chil- 



64 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 

dren. The closing paragraph of his will is worthy of 
record, and shows the veneration he felt for the reli- 
gion of the Cross : — 

" I have now disposed of all my property to my fa- 
mily; there is one thing more I wish I could give 
them, and that is the Christian religion. If they had 
this, and I had not given them one shilling, they would 
be rich ; and if they had not that, and I had given 
them all the world, they would be poor." This short 
paragraph, coming from one of the most gigantic minds 
that ever investigated the truths of revelation, speaks 
volumes in favour of that religion which is despised 
by some — neglected by millions — and is the one thing 
needful to fit us for heaven and prepare us for endu- 
ring bliss. 



DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 
EXTRACT. 

Admiring nations have united in applauding the declaration of our 
rights, penned by Jefferson, and sanctioned by the Continental Con- 
gress on the 4th of July, 1776. As a master-piece STscomposition, 
as a clear and lucid exposition of the rights of man, the principles of 
free government, the sufferings of an oppressed people, the abuses of 
a corrupt ministry, and the effects of monarchy upon the destinies of 
man, it stands unequalled. Pure in its origin, graphic in its delinea- 
tions, noble in its features, glorious in its career, benign in its influ- 
ence, and salutary in its results, it has become the chart of patriots 
throughout the civilized world. It is the ne plus ultra of a gigantic 
mind, elevated to a lofty eminence by the finest touches of Creative 
Power ; displaying its boldest efforts, its brightest conceptions, its ho- 
liest zeal, its purest desires, and its happiest conclusions. It com- 
bines the attributes of justice, the flowers of eloquence, the force of 
logic, and the soul of wisdom. It is the grand palladium of equal 
rights, the polar star of rational Liberty, the Magna Charta of uni- 
versal Freedom, and has crowned the name of its author with laurels 
of immortal fame. — Judson's Biog. of the Signers. 






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